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MORE INSPIRATIONAL HOMES THAN ANY OTHER MAGAZINE

may 2019 £4.50 | US $9.99, AUS $9.99, NZ $13

homes fresh inspiration

happy homes

From an idyllic oast house to a stylish city vicarage

Beautiful decorating ideas for every room

let in the light

98

May 2019 inspiring homes 20 24 45 52 60

c a l m r e s t o r e d You’d never know

this peaceful house was in the heart of Lincoln a wa r m w e l c o m e Rich ochres and deep purples enhance neutral furnishings in a beautiful Yorkshire country home b r i g h t m o v e Revamping a dated cottage in Yorkshire has resulted in a light-filled abode full of charm l e a p o f f a i t h A listed Leeds vicarage has been returned to its former grandeur f r e s h s ta r t Varying shades of vibrant green shine through every room of this reconfigured Victorian London terrace

cover story

64 68 80 88 93

i n w i t h t h e n e w How a Norfolk

ex-holiday let received a new lease of life

re me mb ran ce of th ing s past

After falling in love with this Sussex house’s history, one woman set about restoring it o u t s i d e t h e b o x A chic kitchen is at the heart of a re-imagined London terrace b e s t o f b o t h w o r l d s An eclectic aesthetic brings a soothing ambience to this London property r e m o t e c o n t r o l How a family co-ordinated the renovation of a listed Suffolk shop into a home – from Dubai

Antiques and vintage finds lend a classic look to this lovingly restored Sussex home (page 68).

2 5 b h m Ay 2019 | 3

25bh | c o nte nt s

38

107 112 117 124 132

g o w i t h t h e f l o w A South African couple

opened up their labyrinth-like Berkshire bungalow, blurring the lines between the inside and outside p a l e p e r f e c t i o n An elegant period townhouse in London proved the perfect setting for a decor of powder blues and rich creams o p e n M i n D e D White-painted brick walls, natural materials and a muted colour scheme give a London apartment a light and spacious look o u t o f s i g h t Clever cabinetry provides this young family with enough hidden storage in their revamped London semi a h i D D e n t r e a s u r e After purchasing an unloved Cheltenham villa as newlyweds, this couple have spent the past 20 years uncovering its beauty

unique 8 32 84

w e l l r o u n D e D How one family did up

an unloved oast house in Kent, turning it into a modern, yet cosy, country home a r t & s o u l Colourful prints and photographs fill the walls of this traditional New England farmhouse l o f t y i D e a s What started as a kitchen redo quickly turned into a full renovation for this warehouse conversion in the capital

replanned 14 98 120

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128

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4 | 2 5 b h m ay 2019

returning to her roots and buying a bungalow in Cheshire that her father had built years before s n a p D e c i s i o n An instinctive purchase of a period terrace in London meant this duo were quick to get to work putting their own stamp on it p u r e & s i M p l e With a little encouragement from an interior designer, the owners of this all-white London home decided to add small doses of colour s p a c e i n va D e r s Extending in two directions enabled this London home to grow with the family

distinctive 38 74 102

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f a M i ly a f f a i r Fate played a big hand in one woman

t h e r a i n b o w c o n n e c t i o n An abundance

of joyous colour draws the eye away from the dreary views outside a London apartment s e t t i n g t h e s c e n e Modern, standout furniture is softened with a few country touches and a pale backdrop in this London townhouse c e n t r a l l i n e Geometric patterns, plenty of bright colours and a blend of decor styles fill this London apartment with personality

r e g u l a r f e at u r e s 92 139 146

r e a D e r o f f e r Bird of Paradise plant for your home w h e r e t o b u y Find stockists listed in this issue here r o o M e n v y The scheme that’s inspired us this month

chesneys FIREPLACES | OUTDOOR LIVING

Turning Luxury Living Inside Out

battersea Stockists throughout the UK

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- Awa r d w i n n i n g o r a n g e r i e s & G a r d e n r o o m s -

ORANGERIES

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CONSERVATORIES

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OAk BuIlDINGS

Call for our new brochure or book a home design consultation 01278 764444 davidsalisbury.com

e d ito r ’s le t te r | 25bh 25 BEAUtIfUl

HomeS ediTorial

ediTorial direCTor SARAH SPITERI executive editors Kate French and Neil McLennan group Creative director Emma Williams group Chief sub editor Anne Esden Commercial editorial operations director Jane Akers homes Content Team editorial director Rhoda Parry Commissioning/interiors editor Emma J Page editorial assistant Sally Dominic head of art operations Alison Walter art editors Melanie Brown, Paula Jardine, Meredith Davies with thanks to Mel Algar head of subs operations Maxine Clarke hub Chief sub editor Jennifer Spaeth senior sub editors Marian McNamara and Fiona Mace

publishing

Ceo Ti media limited Marcus Rich group managing director life & style Angela O’Farrell ea to group managing director life & style Donna McConnell managing director Mark Winterton business director Grainne McKenna digital director Sarah Rafati

s Y n d i C aT i o n

sales executive Efi Mandrides (020 3148 5485)

C i r C u l aT i o n

Circulation manager Alan Edwards (020 3787 9161)

a d v e r T i s i n g e n q u i r i e s 020 3148 7641

publisher and head of homes Joanne O’Hara (020 3148 7642) advertisement manager Kate Bragazzi kate.bragazzi@ti-media.com (020 3148 7627) international/luxury accounts manager Carole Bunce (020 3148 7620) homes digital editor Ellie Naber (020 3148 4253) head of agency partnerships Jon Restall (020 3148 7626) Classified brand manager Emma van der Veen emma.vanderveen@ti-media.com (020 3148 2635) Classified sales executive Charlotte Beckett (020 3148 2511)

regional adverTising

welcome I love this month’s cover, from the pleasing symmetry of the image to the stylish combination of eclectic furniture and black-framed windows.

It is the kitchen-diner of a detached Victorian house in East Sussex, owned by interior designer Paula Barnes (page 68). She took a crumbling wreck and renovated it into a charming family home. Her story strikes the perfect chord for this season. May, with its promise of brighter, drier weather and multiple long weekends, is the perfect time for a project.

If you are planning an extension or renovation, I do believe that glazing is the game changer. Skylights, bi-fold doors, internal glass walls... Use in abundance to let in as much light as possible. We are showcasing them all in this issue. At 25BH HQ we’ve been scrutinising the mix of houses that we show, so that we continue to deliver a wealth of ideas and inspiration to our readers. What would you like to see more of?

We’d love to hear from you. sarah spiTeri, ediTorial direCTor

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regional sales director Katrina Hutchison (0161 601 3720) regional account manager Kim Milroy (0161 601 3737) Creative media manager Libby Pinkess (0161 601 3728)

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editorial production manager Nicola Tillman deputy editorial production manager Clare Willetts art production designers Chris Saggers, Phil Dunk group production manager Steve Twort production Controller Bill Argent advertisement Copy and make-up Nicholas Liermann (020 3148 3719)

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C o m i n g n e x T m o n T h – o n s a l e 2 m aY

r ay o f s u n s h i n e Bright colours and beautiful textiles fill this modern house in Leeds

f r e n c h fa n c y A former hunting lodge in rural France has undergone a stunning renovation

All prices quoted in this issue including VAT at the current rate were correct at the time of going to press, although you are advised to check cost and availability before buying. 25 Beautiful Homes is published by TI Media Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Repro by Rhapsody, 109/123 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4LD. Printed by Walstead UK Limited. Cover printed by Walstead UK Limited. Publisher’s subscriptions rates for 12 issues (including p&p): UK, £52.20; Europe & Eire, €170.20; USA & Canada, $111.30; rest of the world, £129.90. For all subscription enquiries and UK orders, call 0330 333 1113 or email help@magazinesdirect.com. For overseas orders, please call +44 (0) 330 333 1113.

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 7

well rounded Escaping the city took Sam and Nick Fallon on a journey that led to the renovation of an unloved hop kiln FEATURE AMY MAYNARD PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD GADSBY

8 | 2 5 b H MO NTH 2017

r e n ovat e d oa s t h o u s e | 25bh UNIqUE

home truths

T H E P R O P E R T Y Oast house, converted in the Forties L O C AT I O N Kent R O O M S Sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, study, utility room/cloakroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before this, we lived in a Victorian terraced house in the centre of Tunbridge Wells,’ says Sam.

SITTING ROOM

The marriage of wood and tactile fabrics create an Alpine chalet feel.

Hooper storage coffee table, £169, Made. com. Kasha corner sofa, £1,520, Habitat.

Ekenaset armchairs, £185 each, Ikea

2 5 b H M AY 2019 | 9

f u t u r e p l a n s ‘We want to knock through the wall around the fireplace in the sitting room and install a large piece of glass, with a window seat overlooking the garden at the back of the house’

r e n ovat e d oa s t h o u s e | 25bh

T

he age-old issue of education prompted Sam and Nick Fallon to leave the bright lights of London in 2010, when their eldest daughter, Isobel, was seven. ‘We wanted to be near better secondary schools,’ says Sam. ‘We also wanted more space and to live in the centre of a town rather than in the suburbs.’ The decision landed them in the pretty spa town of Tunbridge Wells, in a five-storey Victorian terrace.

However, the tiny garden, four flights of stairs and no off-street parking prompted another move four years later. And while the first property had been completely renovated, the next purchase proved more of a challenge. While looking at houses online, Sam happened across a converted but dated oast in a village on the outskirts of

town. ‘Nick said it would be a money pit – and he was right,’ says Sam. ‘But the location is perfect. It is in the middle of the village, but so tucked away that you feel as though you’re in the countryside.’

After viewing the property in spring 2014, the couple moved in that summer, braving living on site with daughters Isobel, now 16, and Tilly, 12, during the renovation work. ‘The previous owner had the property for about 40 years, but only stayed here once every six weeks, so it felt quite unlived in,’ says Sam. ‘But we saw plenty of potential.’ As well as updating the interior, Sam and Nick wanted to relocate the kitchen and reconfigure upstairs. ‘Initially, we moved the kitchen from the current study area into what was the sitting room, and I slapped a lot of white paint everywhere, including over

KITCHEN-dINEr

The dark units contrast with the neutral walls, providing Sam with a backdrop to add colour with her choice of accessories.

Units, price on request, Krieder. Rye Harbour tiles, £80.62sq m, Fired Earth. The zinc-topped table, £850, Rose & Grey, is similar. Macadam folding chairs, £12 each, Habitat

2 5 b h M ay 2019 | 11

BATHrooM

This monochrome look is a departure from the palette used in the rest of the house. odensvik/hemnes vanity unit, £320, Ikea.

Mode tate freestanding bath, from £699, Victoria Plum. bertie & betty floor tiles, £31.95sq m, tons of tiles

r e n ovat e d oa s t h o u s e | 25bh

the Laura Ashley wallpaper upstairs. We also carried out some work in the garden at this time.’ The family then decided to wait until 2017 before tackling a major overhaul of the upper floors. They reduced the numbers of bedrooms from five to four, opening up the landing and moving a bathroom into a former bedroom. They also added a balcony in the main bedroom, and Isobel now has her own haven in the roundel, complete with an en suite.

While living in a house during major works may not be for the faint-hearted, the family coped admirably. ‘The kitchen work was fine because we kept our old one right up until the new one was finished,’ says Sam. ‘But, with the upstairs, there were a couple of months when we didn’t have a bath – luckily we still had a small bathroom with a shower.’ Now, with work complete, the house is

full of colour and personality. The kitchen has neutral walls and dark grey units, with pops of bright hues in the chairs and accessories. The sitting room has the look of a luxurious ski lodge, with its dark beamed ceiling, animal hides, deep-pile rug and antlers on the wall. Upstairs, there is a modern, stylish feel, with the monochrome bathroom serving as a perfect retreat for Sam. The finished house is a fun and much-loved home for the family. The deck, swimming pool and garden are the perfect summer playground for the girls and Isobel adores having her own private wing upstairs. While the children are still living at home, Sam says, the house suits them perfectly. ‘Until they have left home, we won’t be going anywhere,’ she says. ‘But it never hurts to take a look at other properties online…’

MAIN BedrooM

Light from the contemporary balcony illuminates this eaves space.

Juliette king-size bed, from £900, Feather & black. the Inart tub chair is a good match, £189.99, wayfair

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

2 5 b h M ay 2019 | 13

25bh | d e tac h e d b u n g a l ow

FA M I LY A F FA I R Hard work, vision and a helping hand from fate allowed Debbie Goodwin and Neil Clague to add their own chapter to this story from their past FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES FRENCH

14 | 2 5 b H M AY 2019

REPLANNED

home truths

THE PROPERTY Sixties bungalow L O C AT I O N Cheshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, study, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved to this house from a Thirties end-of-terrace in Warrington,’ says Debbie.

STUDY By grouping a collection of favourite paintings, pictures and ornaments, Debbie has created a corner of interest in her office space.

The Mr Clarke wall clock, £100, Newgate, is a similar style. The Pixie pink metal desk lamp, £43.19, Maisons du Monde, has this look. Try the mid-blue planter on wooden legs, £22.99, Very

SiTTing room ‘i love the textures in here,’ says Debbie. ‘The green velvet sofa, parquet flooring and concrete hearth work so well together.’

Sutton sofa in Emerald, £1,299, Swoon, would work well here.

Wall painted in Railings estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Desert Oak herringbone flooring, £37.14sq m, Woodfloorwarehouse.co.uk

25bh | d e tac h e d b u n g a l ow favo u r i t e f e at u r e ‘The large expanse of glazing at the rear of the house is a complete contrast to the front and always surprises new guests’

16 | 2 5 b h m Ay 2019

KITCHEN-dINEr Mixing different furniture and soft furnishing styles creates an eclectic, relaxed look.

Walker extending dining table and four chairs, £1,999, Furniture Village. Pink Eiffel chairs, £49.99 each, Amazon. Eglo Loncino pendant lights in black, £39 each, Pagazzi Lighting. Icon Light floor tiles, £49.99sq m, CTD Tiles

Hall These light fittings make perfect use of the high ceiling and create a striking design statement.

The Simon pinecone wood LED pendant, £102.70, Overstock, is a match. Storage baskets, £3.99 each, Home Bargains. Beaumont reclaimed pine three-drawer hall table with shelves, £493.90, Oak Furniture House

25bh | d e tac h e d b u n g a l ow

D

ebbie Goodwin and Neil Clague’s renovation story begins in the Sixties, with Debbie’s parents. ‘Dad worked for a builder and helped build a row of bungalows,’ says Debbie. ‘Then he and Mum found a plot of land nearby, where they built the home they still live in.’

Years later, having moved away, Debbie and Neil were keen to return to Debbie’s hometown to be closer to her family. ‘There wasn’t anything we could afford, apart from a property in probate, near my parents,’ she says. ‘It was one of the bungalows my dad had built years ago, and we got such a good feeling when we went to view it. The decor, plumbing and electrics were old and there were garish carpets throughout, but it

18 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

had a large, private garden with space to extend and, despite the work needed, it felt like home. It felt like fate – we had to have it.

‘I had so many ideas,’ Debbie continues, ‘but our budget was limited, and our main focus was to get the space right inside and the exterior looking its best. We extended to the full width of the back to create an open-plan kitchen that opened out to the garden. We were lucky to have the help of my father and brother, Barry, who are both builders. Neil and I stripped every wall back to the bare brick, removed the old electrics and plumbing and took down the plasterboard ceilings.

We even helped to dig the foundations for the extension.’

The roof was replaced, stairs taken out and repositioned, and

the loft reconfigured from two small bedrooms into one large en-suite bedroom. ‘I wanted to make use of every inch of space,’ says Debbie. ‘We created storage in the eaves and opened up the loft ceiling to its full height.’

The exterior was given a revamp with new render and bespoke doors and windows, and a large chunk of the couple’s budget went on the expansive sliding doors in the new kitchen. ‘They were an important part of how I envisaged the design and they have truly transformed the space,’ says Debbie. ‘This renovation was 18 months in the making – or I suppose you could say 50 years.

We’ve turned a once-modest bungalow into an architecturally striking home. I think this house was simply meant to be ours.’

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

en suite soft pink accents soften the minimal grey and white palette.

Seashell acacia leg indoor planter, £45, homebase. Dusky pink bath towel, £4, george home, is a match. Mode tate freestanding bath, £399.20, Victoria Plum. optiks floor tiles, £59.95sq m, topps tiles, have this look

Main bedrooM shimmering gold accents add a touch of decadence. brass pendant light, £63, Cuckooland. gold rock on hand, £16.95, Audenza. Ink Jaipur cushion, £35; Ink Jaipur throw, £140, both Christy. Fusion bed, from £99.99, wayfair, is a similar style

calm restored A period house in a busy tourist town has become the peaceful retreat that Gilly Henson was looking for FeaTure HeaTHer Dixon | phoTography CoLin PooLe

dining area this is one of the most popular spots in the house, as it is ideally placed to make the most of the views.

The Schweizer extendable table, £465, Wayfair, would work here. Henriksdal dining chairs, £70 each, ikea, re-covered by redhead interiors in Clarke & Clarke linen weaves, price on request.

Satin white ceramic floor tiles, £28.25sq m, Topps Tiles

20 | 2 5 b h M ay 2019

p e r i o d u p dat e | 25bh

inspiring

Kitchen the light and spacious kitchen extension is furnished and decorated in a classic, neutral style.

Bespoke cabinetry by allwood Kitchens. Units painted in Hardwick White modern eggshell, £69 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Smeg a4-8 dual-fuel cooker, £2,767 from appliance City. Blind in Charleston, £90m, Margo Selby

home truths

The properTy Victorian house, built in 1850 L o c aT i o n Lincoln r o o m s Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, TV room, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), two bathrooms p u r c h a s e d 2008 previous properTy ‘We moved to this house from a detached property in rural Lincolnshire,’ says Gilly.

2 5 b h M ay 2019 | 21

25bh | p e r i o d u p dat e

sittinG room Gilly’s symmetrical scheme complements the elegant proportions. the mirror was found in a barn and gilded by unicorn Studios, price on request. walls in Zoffany’s Flint grey elite emulsion, £46 for 2.5L, Designer Paint

main Bedroom Pale blues create calming accents in this space.

Cashmere bed throw, £595, Johnstons of elgin. walls in Zoffany’s Paris grey elite emulsion, £46 for 2.5L, Designer Paint en suite the twin-basin cabinetry was designed by Gilly. bespoke unit, £400, gilly henson Design. For a similar mirror, try the Plain Venetian, £88, Sweetpea & willow

d e c o r a t i n g t i p ‘ Repeat the colour of your ceiling and woodwork throughout the house so you create a link between the rooms’

G

illy Henson lived in the countryside until she decided it was time for a complete change of lifestyle. Giving up a large rural house and the peace and tranquillity of open fields, she made the bold decision to buy a Victorian house in Lincoln’s historic tourist centre. Surprisingly, in spite of its position, Gilly’s home is in a secluded spot and is so peaceful that she hears as much birdsong as she did in the country.

‘The place was desperately in need of renovation but I loved its location,’ she says. ‘No one knows I’m here, yet I have amazing views across the city and all the amenities on my doorstep.’ But the property certainly wasn’t without its challenges, the main one being that it had been turned into two separate flats.

Gilly and her then-teenage children, Charles and Ella, went to stay with her brother during the renovation. ‘The house had been divided up quite organically so I didn’t have to do much to restore it to one large property,’ says Gilly. ‘I kept the staircase and just redesigned the way the rooms were used after stripping out all the old kitchen and bathroom fittings. The most notable thing about it was that all the woodwork was painted bright green!’

Gilly employed builders to strip all the rooms back to bare brick and plaster. She then reinstated, replaced or repaired the original features, such as coving and fireplaces, and obtained planning permission to extend the tiny ground-floor kitchen to create a spacious and modern living space. ‘This was important fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

for me because until the extension was built, the windows that overlook the city were largely in the bedrooms,’ says Gilly. ‘I work from home and wanted the focus of the kitchen to be the views.’

With all the building work finally complete, the family moved back in and Gilly took on the decoration and furnishing, opting for a calm, classic style throughout. ‘The bones of the house are uncluttered and unfussy, so I can change the look easily without going to great expense,’ she says. ‘I chose kitchen units that won’t date quickly and light olour schemes that work with the house, then I gradually built up the layers. We have a lot of original features and, to be honest, they are the true focus of the property.’

Gilly’s priority was to make the house a home for her children, so she started with the top floor, where they each have a double bedroom and shared shower room, plus their own first-floor TV room, which also acts as a bedroom when friends stay over.

Comfort and quality are the key elements of Gilly’s style, but she is perfectly happy to team solid-wood furniture, antiques and comfortable sofas with inexpensive accessories and large, vibrant artwork. Last year, she finally turned the weed-infested concrete terrace into a modern paved outdoor area that includes architectural planting and seating. ‘It’s a lovely suntrap, away from the wind, and has those wonderful city views,’ she says. ‘And by opening the bifold kitchen doors it becomes an extension of the house.

I’m so lucky to have been able to give this place a new lease of life.’

2 5 b h m ay 2019 | 23

SITTING ROOM

Maggie bought two of the same rug, using one on the floor and the other as a wall hanging in the hall for an unexpected glimpse of pattern.

Sanderson Stapleton Park multicolour wool rug has this look, ÂŁ780, Benuta.

Corner cabinet and table, price on application, both Main Furniture Company.

Hurlingham sofa, from ÂŁ1,650, Oka

v i c t o r i a n c o t tag e | 25bh

A warm welcome Rustic shades and golden tones bring a cosy glow to Maggie and Peter Wynne’s country home FEATURE HAZEL DOLAN | PHOTOGRAPHY JEREMY PHILLIPS

2 5 b H M AY 2019 | 25

INSPIRINg

home truths

THE PROPERTY Semi-detached Victorian cottage L O C AT I O N Yorkshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, study/sitting room, two bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2012 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before, we rented the converted Mechanics’ Institute in the village,’ says Maggie.

SITTING rOOM

Limestone flooring echoes the honeyed tones of the ceiling beams and the antique bench in the hall beyond.

Limestone flooring, price on application, Prices Paving. The Nordlux Break floor lamp would work here, £113.94, Lighting & Lights. Bronze horse figure, £725, Oka. For a similar planter, try the Hoa square dark grey pot, £23, B&Q

KITCHEN-dINEr

The central column provides a useful place to keep cookware easily to hand in this generous space.

Table, price on request, Chris Holmes Decorative Interiors. Highbury dining chairs are comparable, from £425 each, Bennington Metal Furniture.

Reconditioned Aga, price on request, Traditional Cookers of Yorkshire

v i c t o r i a n c o t tag e | 25bh

W

ith previous homes including a cottage tucked inside a castle moat and a converted ballroom, Maggie and Peter Wynne have a history of finding intriguing properties. Their latest – two Victorian cottages knocked together – seems quite conventional. But for Maggie, its attraction was simple: ‘It felt like a home,’ she says.

It also felt far more spacious than either of them had expected.

Beyond the narrow, slate-flagged hall, both the sitting room and kitchen are large and open. With its beams and exposed brickwork, the property had enough warmth and character to tempt the couple, and the challenge of reconfiguring the space made it irresistible.

Selling their ballroom apartment had been a fraught business.

‘We had 11 buyers but each transaction fell through for all kinds of

reasons,’ says Peter. ‘Finally it sold, but we only had a week to move out and so we ended up renting temporarily in this village and discovering how lovely it was.’ Both he and Maggie were more than ready to put down roots again and relax, but first there was plenty of work to be done – far more than they had anticipated. ‘We had planned to rip the kitchen and en suite out,’ says Maggie. ‘But despite having a survey done, we had no idea we would need to replace the roof, or that there was potentially dangerous wiring and damp in the hall. We ended up camping in one room for months while the whole house was in disarray.’

Amid the chaos, the couple decided to treat the delay as an opportunity to rethink their plans, adding a large walk-in shower to their en suite and, most significantly, turning the top-floor

2 5 b H M AY 2019 | 27

25bh | v i c t o r i a n c o t tag e

bedroom and storage space into a new study and living area. This is now their favourite place to spend the evenings.

Earthy colours and furniture in strong, sculptural shapes are key to Maggie’s decorating style. Most of the walls in the cottage are painted in her favourite base colour, a rich shade of ochre, mixed to her own formula. ‘I love this colour and I discovered it completely by accident in our previous home,’ she says. ‘I’d gone to a paintmixing place and asked to match a different colour I’d already used, but to make it less yellow and more green-toned, and this is how it turned out. When you first put it on, it’s really dark but as it dries it becomes lighter and it’s such a good background colour that I decided to paint almost the whole house in it.’ The depth and brightness of the colour is a robust foil to the couple’s mix of

contemporary and classic furniture, and the ikat prints and kilims Maggie loves. In the couple’s bedroom, though, there is a change of mood. The rustic, chalk-painted brickwork and beams called for lightness, yet Maggie felt the space needed a fabric with a standout design. The bold, scrolling lines of the indigo on cream fabric she chose work perfectly to make the carved bed the focal point.

What delighted Maggie most, however, was the surprising discovery that there was a place in the cottage for a fabulous crystal chandelier, bought for her previous ballroom home. It now hangs above the staircase – the only space tall enough to fit it. The secluded courtyard at the back of the cottage has proved an added bonus. ‘We spend all our time here in the summer as it enjoys full sun,’ says Maggie. ‘It’s so private and peaceful.’

LAST WOR D ‘I wanted a welcoming interior, so I chose warm hues and floors that allow people to keep their shoes on’

28 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

MAIn BEDROOM

The couple’s pine bed had to be cut down to fit beneath the low beams. bed, price on application, Main Furniture Company. For a similar bedspread fabric, try the Kate trellis, £23m, Spoonflower

BATHROOM

Black accents add depth and drama to this eclectic scheme.

Ashcombe bath is a match, £4,000, Lefroy

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

brooks, painted in off black full gloss, £26 for 750ml, Farrow & ball. Similar gingko metal wall art, from $234.28, Dhgate.com

En suITE

In a last-minute change of plan, Maggie and Peter decided there was just enough space to add a walk-in shower.

Marble tiles, price on application, Prices Paving. wall painted in off white estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball

Art & Soul

Drew Hodges and Peter Kukielski restored an historic Maine farmhouse, paying homage to its striking setting and filling its rooms with eclectic artwork FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY JAMES SALOMON

32 | 2 5 b H M Ay 2019

n e w e ng l a n d fa r m h o us e | 25bh

UNIQUE

home truths THE PROPERTY Traditional clapboard farmhouse, built in 1813 L O C AT I O N Maine, US R O O M S Sea room, dining room, kitchen/sitting room, snug, study, cloakroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2010 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We also have a home in Portland, Maine,’ says Drew.

Sitting room

Smart nautical stripes reflect the waterside setting of this historic saltwater farmhouse.

Estate handwoven blue/ white rug is a match, £52.99, Wayfair. Task ceramic floor light in natural has this look, £499, Original BTC. Febo sofa and Max table are similar, both price on request, B&B Italia

2 5 b H M Ay 2019 | 33

SITTInG ROOM

Peter relaxes with Frances, the couple’s rescue dog.

The Navy Lattice cushion cover, from £8.19, Lily Pillow at Etsy; and Nellary Paisley cotton cushion cover in Indigo, £54.99, Wayfair, have this look

SEA ROOM

Bold artwork by Donald Judd adds a bright, graphic note to this otherwise simple scheme.

The Konsthantverk Kh #1 floor lamp is comparable, £514.80, Holloways of Ludlow. Try the classic armless chaise longue with mahogany legs, from £245, Beaumont Furnishings at Etsy

A

mong the tall grasses, rocky ledges and moody waters of Maine’s coastal town of Cushing, art and nature collide. This picturesque landscape has long been famed not only for its rich haul of fish and lobster, but also for its thriving artistic community, attracted to the area’s quality of light. It was that creative spirit that first beckoned Drew Hodges to tiny Monhegan Island, 12 miles off the coast, as he searched for a place where he, too, might roll up his sleeves and get painting.

‘The island was favoured by American painters Rockwell Kent and George Bellows, among many others,’ he says. ‘It was too remote for winter living, however, so I began searching for a traditional clapboard house on the mainland.

I was prepared to wait years for the right place, but it took only a few months for an historic gem to present itself.’

The property that Drew and his partner, Peter Kukielski, bought was bigger than they anticipated, but impossible to resist. The compound comprises a classic saltwater farmhouse – a long barn book-ended by double-height spaces – plus a guest annexe, dock house, boat house and garage. Owned by one family since the Fifties, the structure had barely altered since a studio was added in the Sixties. ‘I viewed it in mid-winter and it was freezing,’ recalls Drew. ‘The only heating was electric and it felt desolate. But the uninterrupted sea views and wooded landscape were so enticing.’

Drew and Peter, a renowned garden designer, worked with architect and friend Larry Bowne to sensitively restore the exterior and simplify the internal layout. The ground floor comprised a warren of small rooms, which the couple reworked by removing several walls to create an airy, interconnected space, comprising a kitchen/sitting room at

KITCHEn

A vintage cart serves as a portable island unit and adds a softly industrial note.

Cooper solid wood and metal bar stools, have this look, £99 each, Industville

favourite room ‘We love relaxing on the couch in the sea room. Often bald eagles fly overhead, while lobster boats come in from their catch’ 34 | 2 5 b h m ay 2019

n e w e ng l a n d fa r m h o us e | 25bh KITCHEn/ DInInG ROOM

Drew and Peter knocked through several walls so now the dining room flows into the kitchen, with the sea room beyond.

The Berlin Globe pendant has this look, from ÂŁ1,750, Holloways of Ludlow

2 5 b h m ay 2019 | 35

25bh | n e w e ng l a n d fa r m h o us e

STUDy

Drew and Peter restored this original rustic fireplace.

Find Wildflowers artwork

by Alex Katz, price on request, at 1stdibs

MAIN bEDrOOM

An unadorned metal four-poster bed adds a graphic note to this scheme, complemented by the lines of the ceiling light. bed, price on request, oly.

Chandelier, price on request, David weeks. Anglepoise original 1227 extendable wall lights in black are similar to the bedside lights, £182.75, John Lewis & Partners

its heart, with what they call the ‘sea room’ leading off it on one side and a dining room to the other, with a study and den beyond. The master suite is contained in the double-height space at the rear, while guest bedrooms occupy the loft space at the other end, overlooking the sea.

Once this logical flow was in place, the emphasis was on allowing as much light as possible into the building, while harnessing the expansive views. The sea room was originally a bedroom and only featured four small windows. Taking the full-height glazing at the rear of the property as a template, Peter and Drew replicated the look at the front, too, allowing full access to the garden and shore, while adding a second storey above to accommodate a guest bedroom.

The decor takes its cue from nature – fresh, nautical blues and whites reflect its coastal setting, while muddy tones speak of the changing landscape. Organic textures such as washed linen, weathered leather and reclaimed fixtures complement the property’s history and rural locale. ‘We love colour,’ says Peter, ‘but a house like this shouldn’t compete with its location.’ Treasured artworks, from modern graphics to watercolours, are a reflection of the couple’s eclectic taste.

‘Every piece is different, but they sit well together,’ says Drew.

Entertaining friends is a key element to Peter and Drew’s extended sojourns here, so it’s no surprise that the kitchen is at the heart of this farmhouse. ‘The building’s location is quite remote, so being part of the local community is really important,’ says Peter. ‘It’s wonderful that we are creating new memories in this home. And the building has also become the focus of many local artists, who are committing its new incarnation to paper. This farmhouse has come full circle, which seems very fitting indeed.’

EN SUITE

lesson learnt ‘Keep it classic on the outside and modern on the inside, and be careful not to overdo any renovation’

36 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

Vibrant walls and graphic tiles hint at the couple’s love of colour and pattern.

Mural floor tiles, price on request, heath Ceramics. the single Ladybower vanity basin suite is similar, from £3,985, Drummonds

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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the R AINbOw CONNeCtION With dazzling colours and skilful planning, Emma Deterding turned a bland apartment into a bright city bolthole FeAtURe MaggiE CoLviN | PhOtOGRAPhY BrENt DarBy

38 | 2 5 b h M ay 2019

DIStINCtIve

home truths

the PROPeRtY Maisonette in a Sixties block L O C At I O N West London R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms (one en suite), three shower rooms P U R C h A S e D 2009 PRevIOUS PROPeRtY ‘We also have a 17th-century farmhouse in the Norfolk countryside,’ says Emma.

kitchen-diner the lustrous wallpaper makes a stylish backdrop to the cabinetry. antique Mirror wallpaper, £90 a roll, John Lewis & Partners. Kitchen units, price on request; velvet cushions, from £60 each, all Kelling Designs. the injuicy feather lampshade is similar, £85, Wunderstore

1 2

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4

3

R

eflecting the pace and style of the buzzy west London street life outside, interior designer Emma Deterding has chosen to furnish her home with a cacophony of dazzling hues. ‘I’ve always been one for colour,’ she says, ‘irrespective of the style and age of my furniture.’ Emma’s other inspiration for her interior decor was Sixties pop art and contemporary graffiti, both of which she has a passion for, and some of the walls are hand-painted works of art in their own right. ‘I was keen that this place should be totally different from our country home, which is muted and traditional,’ she says.

Tucked at the top of an apartment block, the formerly drab London maisonette appealed to Emma because of its generous space and unusual floor plan. Spanning four levels, the layout is similar to a mews house with short flights of steps broken up by spacious landings. It provided a perfect second home for Emma and her husband Nicholas and their two children, who are now grown up. With its three bedrooms and the same number of shower rooms, it has also proven to be ideal for when friends stay over.

Emma admits that it took a couple of attempts to achieve the transformation you see today. The first time around, she separated the kitchen from the sitting room with light panelled walls. ‘But when the eating and takeaway restaurants on the King’s Road were duly discovered, the kitchen and dining space were hardly used and

1&2

sitting room An assortment of pattern and texture was used to create interest. Appliqued felt was chosen to cover the tub armchairs for a sixties pop art feel.

For retro furniture fabric, price on request, try Yorkshire Fabric Shop. The Barbara area rug, £17.99, Wayfair, would work well in this space. For a similar sofa, try the Brandon three-seater, £1,975, Barker & Stonehouse.

Bettina lampshades, from £140 each; Emma ottoman, £1,200, all KDLoves

3

hAll the curtains here draw on the grafti art’s colour palette.

Kallianthi Demeter stripe curtain fabric, £59sq m, Harlequin, would suit this space. Lucia dining chair, £546, The Dining Chair Company

4

guest bedroom the cream headboard is a calming counterpoint to the riot of colour elsewhere.

Try the Wentworth buttonback headboard, from £200, Pavilion Interiors. Drum lampshades in Fuchsia, £90 each, Pooky

couldn’t justify the space they took up,’ says Emma. So the kitchen walls were removed to make one generous open-plan area where a fridge, dishwasher and freezer were cleverly concealed behind a smart row of low cupboards spanning one wall. Strategic lids in the worksurface lift up to reveal a hob and sink with a movable pull-up tap. ‘It is all so seamlessly integrated,’ Emma says.

On party nights the long, slim desk in the dining area opens up lengthways to create a table that seats four, six or even eight at

d e c o r at i n g t i p ‘There’s nothing like colourful graffiti walls to distract the eye from a dreary view out of your windows – ours overlook the backs of shops’ 2 5 b h m aY 2019 | 41

25bh | c it y m a i s o n e t te

1 2 1&2

main bedroom emma chose an oriental-theme wallpaper for an exotic touch.

Palais Chinois wallpaper, £73 a roll, osborne & Little. bespoke purple velvet headboard, KDLoves, price on request. For jewel-coloured cushions in pure silk velvet, £50 each, try Sorella. the Audley quilt,

3 42 | 2 5 b h m Ay 2019

£290, the white Company, would work well in this scheme

3

b at h r o o m the hand-painted blossom tree in the walk-in shower creates a pretty backdrop. try CP hart for glass shower screens, price on request

a pinch. Emma inherited a love of entertaining from her mother and her home has an exuberant party feel encapsulated in the choice of fun artwork in bold, happy colours. ‘There’s a convivial atmosphere, partly thanks to a wall of striped velvet curtains in tones of red, pink and orange,’ says Emma. Throughout the home, layers of soft textures in velvet, felt and suede produce a luxurious mood, teamed with a juxtaposition of jewel hues.

Influenced by her many trips to India, Emma no longer confines her bright colours to small accessories and has painted whole walls in jade and red, several of which are decorated in graffiti. ‘Tony Allen is my favourite graffiti artist,’ she says, pointing to his geometric abstract painting in the entrance hall, which never fails to stun first-time visitors.

‘The more excited you get about colour, the more courageous you tend to become,’ says Emma. But does her husband share her somewhat exuberant style? ‘Nicholas has always been mindful of the fact that interior designers push the boundaries and that they love changing things,’ she continues. ‘Fortunately, he lets me make the choices and simply claims to be colour blind.

Just one of the reasons we make the perfect happy team.’ fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

Don’t live in a pin.

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INSPIRING

Bright move Laura and Will Mellor bought a period house and lost no time in giving it a fresh new look FEATURE HAZEL DOLAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BRENT DARBY

home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian terraced cottage L O C AT I O N North Yorkshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen, study, garden room, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2014 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We lived in a much smaller terraced house,’ says Laura.

KITCHEN

The rich tones of a traditional kilim rug bring warmth to the dining area.

Zaina kilim, from £125, Hare & Wilde. Amsterdam high-back slat chairs, £72 each, Turnbull & Thomas, are a match. Ceramic rise-and-fall lights, from £223 each, The French House

2 5 b H m AY 2019 | 45

DECOR ATING TIP ‘Watch the experts at work so you can learn from them and attempt

GARDEN ROOM

A favourite spot of wire-haired fox terrier Belle, this little room links the outside to the inside and has an area to store garden essentials.

Aldsworth potting table, £300, Garden Trading. The Dixie mat, £56, Scandinavian Design Center, is similar. Panelling painted in Hardwick White estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

46 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

SITTING ROOM

Continuing to bridge the gap between indoors and out, Laura has displayed plenty of fresh greenery in the living areas. The soft grey on the walls lets the foliage, along with the Edwardian cornicing and picture rails, stand out. It also co-ordinates with the tiles in the fireplace.

Walls painted in Wittering Sands eggshell, £49.50

for 2.5L, Fired Earth. For a similar period fireplace, try Edwardian Fireplaces.

Log basket, from £30, Hare & Wilde. The Anton 5 shelf wood leaning bookcase, £179, John Lewis & Partners, is a match. The Newbury sofa, £1,399; and the Rochester armchair, from £559.20, both Marks & Spencer, are comparable.

The Thika terrarium, from £69.95, Nkuku, is similar

e dwa r d i a n te r r ac e | 25bh

more of the jobs yourself next time – it’s a great way to enhance your abilities and creativity’

W

hen it came to making her mark on her pretty Edwardian home in Yorkshire, Laura Mellor didn’t mess about. ‘I went at it like a whirlwind,’ she says. ‘On day two I was digging up the garden in front of the house, making friends with the neighbours. By the end of the first week, I think I had bought and planted all the topiary for sale in the area and painted the front door.

For me, the way the outside and inside blend is important, so it seemed a good idea to start with the kerb appeal.’

From the moment Laura and her husband, Will, first saw the house, they

were smitten. They loved its position, tucked into a neat terraced row at the edge of a popular village and a short distance from a common – perfect for long walks with their wire-haired fox terrier Belle.

‘I love the high ceilings, too,’ says Laura.

‘And the scale of the house, and the light the big windows bring in.’ The interior was a little dated, but that simply boosted its appeal – the couple run home design and accessories business Hare & Wilde and were looking for a home renovation project.

‘Whenever I first walk into a space, I start to consider how it could look down the line once it’s been done up, rather than concentrate on how it looks in its current

condition, so I wasn’t fazed by the work the house required,’ says Laura.

The couple’s main priority was to create a more practical kitchen and dining space. Previous owners had turned an annexed outbuilding into a dining room, but Laura and Will could see a better way of using the footprint. By adding a slim extension with rooflights to the side of the kitchen, they have opened up the heart of the ground floor, making it fresher and brighter. The former dining room now doubles as a garden room and potting shed, its glazed doors leading into the newly landscaped courtyard garden. As keen as Laura and Will were to get on with the new 2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 47

e dwa r d i a n te r r ac e | 25bh

FAVOURITE item ‘We fell in love with the fireplace in the bedroom as soon as we saw it – I couldn’t wait to paint the walls darker to highlight the unusual mirror and gorgeous tiles’

extension, there were delays as they waited for builders. ‘They say there’s no need to rush, but once I get a project started I don’t want to stop. I like to see it through,’ says Laura. ‘But the wait did give us more time to live in the house, to see how the light comes in and how we use the space.’

The essence of their style is to pare back each room, so that original features, such as the beautiful period fireplaces, ceiling cornices, picture rails and sash windows, are shown to their best advantage. A palette of soft greys brings calm and a sense of flow,

while wooden floors add warmth. ‘We did as much as we could ourselves – all the paint and wallpaper stripping, plus tiling, painting and decorating,’ says Laura. ‘Anything we can have a go at, we will try and we’re learning as we go. We had professionals install the panelling in the kitchen, but we watched them and learnt how to do it and we’ve since used our new skill to add panelling to our shop.’

Experimenting with richer paint tones has paid off, particularly in the bathroom where deep grey walls contrast with the white fittings and

STUDY

Simple height-adjustable trestles teamed with a wooden tabletop make for a flexible workspace.

Laura painted the trestles to match the chair for a polished look.

Finnvard trestles, £25 each; Gerton table top, £75, both Ikea. The Talia dining chair, £95, Habitat, is a match. The Florence 3 column radiator, £355, Castrads, is similar

mAIn BEDroom

Previous owners had replaced the original hearth tiles with orange and green ones, but, fortunately, Laura and Will were able to find these more traditional replicas.

Carnival tiles in Pancho, £79.20sq m, Fired Earth.

Lake poster, from £7.95 unframed; Fern poster, from £3.95 unframed, both Desenio

2 5 b h m ay 2019 | 49

25bh | e dwa r d i a n te r r ac e

MAIN BEDROOM

Laura made the pendant light above the bed herself by threading dozens of capiz shells onto fishing wire, adding a personal touch to the decor.

Capiz shells, from 70p for 10, etsy. botanist bed frame, from £275 for a double, John Lewis & Partners. hemnes bedside tables in white, £50 each, Ikea. handwoven jute rug, from £65, hare & wilde

50 | 2 5 b h m ay 2019

BATHROOM

Rather than hanging just one mirror, Laura chose to make a feature out of a trio of vintage bevellededge mirrors that she collected from antiques fairs and charity shops.

Vintage bevelled-edge mirrors, from £69.99 each, Kernow Furniture at etsy, are similar. roll-top bath, from £639, bathstore. Column radiator, from £152, b&Q

vintage mirrors. ‘I was a bit wary of making the house darker,’ says Laura.

‘But I knew that darker shades really work in period homes – they add drama and blend everything together.’

The neutral backdrop is the ideal foil for their mix of contemporary and vintage furniture, lighting and accessories. ‘Some of it is from our own shop, some from high-street stores, some are pieces from Ikea that I’ve painted and changed and others are finds from when I used to deal in vintage fashion,’ says Laura. ‘We like to stick to natural materials as much

as possible, though – handmade kilims, wool throws for the sitting room and bedrooms, and oak flooring and worktops, for example.’

Fresh foliage and botanical prints play their part, too. Plenty of leafy houseplants add an invigorating dash of green to all the greys, in keeping with Laura’s early promise to create a seamless link between their home and garden. Transformation complete, Will and Laura are delighted with the results of all their hard work.

‘There is nothing that we wouldn’t do all over again,’ says Laura.

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

leap of faith Jo Marston and Joe Pinder took a huge gamble when they bought a former vicarage that had been turned into ofces Feature KAREN WILSON | PhotograPhy KATIE LEE

sitting ROOM

‘It was Joe’s idea to add the panelling, to make it feel grander and more sumptuous,’ says Jo. Walls painted in Deep Ultramarine flat matt emulsion by Dulux Heritage, £37.73 for 2.5L, Designer Paint. Theo two-seater yellow sofa

by Alexander & James, £969, and Retreat Maxi sofa, £1,799, both Millhouse Furniture. For a similar figurine, try Gold Flamingo, £59.99, Maisons du Monde

fo r m e r v i c a r ag e | 25bh insPiring

home truths

t h e P r o P e r t y Grade II-listed detached Victorian house L o c at i o n Leeds r o o m s Sitting room, family room, dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, office, four bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, two bathrooms P u r c h a s e d 2017 Previous ProPerty ‘Joe had a city-centre apartment and I owned a converted chapel of rest outside Leeds,’ says Jo.

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 53

FAMILY ROOM

HALL

Once painted yellow with office strip lights, the hall has now been restored to its former glory.

Berkeley Essence Eden floor tiles, £69.99sq m, Topps Tiles, are a close match to these

The couple use this space for relaxing and watching TV. Van der Rohe Barcelona chair, £549, and ottoman, £259, Pash Classics. Habitat’s Gala glass coffee table, £250, would work here

DRESSING ROOM

White walls and a mirror help create a feel of spaciousness.

Tatsuma walnut white dressing table, £195, Habitat. For a similar oak mirror, £129, try Made.com

54 | 2 5 b h M ay 2019

A

fter seven years together, Jo Marston and Joe Pinder decided to sell their respective homes and move in with each other. They had fallen in love with a beautiful Victorian house – formerly the vicarage for Leeds Parish Church – which had been turned into offices in the mid-Nineties before standing empty for nine years.

It was clearly a big challenge, but one the couple were up for.

‘Every room was an office, except for the toilets and kitchenettes,’ says Jo, ‘but we loved that were large and open.’

‘We immediately saw where the key rooms should be and by the second viewing, we’d sketched out rough plans,’ adds Joe. The biggest hurdle was getting a domestic mortgage on a commercial property and the couple spent time and money securing permission for change of use. Meanwhile, they installed a kitchen and bathroom before they had even exchanged contracts. ‘By paying so much attention to detail on a house we didn’t even own, we were taking a massive gamble,’ admits Joe. But the risk paid off and soon work began on ripping out miles of old data cables, air-conditioning units, carpet tiles and strip lights, as well as replacing 36 radiators. Although the house is Grade II listed, this didn’t present any problems as the couple were keen to preserve all the cornicing and put back high skirting boards, deep architraves and Victorian doors.

Joe has his own construction firm creating bars and music venues and thanks to his contacts and expertise, the work took just five months – he even used some of the light fittings and reclaimed wood from bars he was stripping out. The pair lived on site during the work, which was no easy task. ‘Before the

fo r m e r v i c a r ag e | 25bh

inspir ation ‘We toyed with the idea of getting a budget kitchen but in the end we decided to go the whole hog’

KITCHEN

Joe made the island unit from a commercial sink, wooden bench and industrial steel legs.

Victoria elm wood bar stool, £89, Cult Furniture. Vindkare copper pendant lights, £35 each, Ikea.

For oak parquet flooring, price on application, try Havwoods

2 5 b h M ay 2019 | 55

25bh | fo r m e r v i c a r ag e

MASTER BEDROOM

The couple’s gold-and-green furnishings match the accessories.

Muriva Dandelion wallpaper, £10 a roll, I Love wallpaper. For a similar throw, try harlequin Vortex throw in gold, £155, bedeck home

MASTER EN SUITE

‘We splashed out and went for the opulent look here,’ says Jo. Jewel tone tiles in Victorian blue, £45.79sq m, tile Dealer. Similar antique brass wall-mounted taps, £50.77 a set, LightInthebox.com

56 | 2 5 b h M ay 2019

FAMILY BATHROOM

‘I love the colour of the tiles against the wood floor,’ says Jo. Johnson Pistachio green tiles, £39sq m, walls and Floors. the bath Co Dulwich freestanding bath, £499, Victoria Plum, is a match

heating had been installed, we’d create a bit of extra warmth by turning on the oven and leaving the doors open,’ recalls Joe. With the house finally finished, Joe’s favourite room is the kitchen. ‘We love cooking so we installed the biggest industrial extractor we could find to avoid grease getting everywhere,’ he says. Jo particularly loves the sitting room. ‘I adore the original working window shutters we were able to expose,’ she says.

Meanwhile upstairs, having the luxury of five bedrooms meant they were able to convert one into a dressing room and still retain several guest bedrooms, which proves handy whenever Joe’s three grown-up children visit.

Jo describes the interior design as a fusion of styles. ‘I like to mix up furniture, accessories and pieces of art, be they modern or vintage, but it has to be practical to live in, too,’ she says.

‘We also bought lots of vintage furniture from a dealer friend.’

However, there are several quirky, personal pieces, as well – such as the portrait of Joe on a Scottish hillside, painted by his mum; and a tongue-in-cheek artwork Joe created himself out of all his odd socks. Thanks to its unique character, the house has also been in demand as a location for TV commercials and photography campaigns via an agency called UK Locations.

With a further eight untouched rooms in the basement currently storing Joe’s building materials, it is unlikely the couple will ever run out of space. ‘I suppose we could create a snug or a bar down there,’ says Joe, ‘but we don’t want to take people away from the main house for entertaining.’ And Jo agrees, saying, ‘We’ve turned this into a special place, which is why we always look forward to coming back home.’ fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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F R E S H S TA R T

Jane and Hugh Peters chose neutral shades and vibrant greens as a backdrop for a new phase of family life back in the UK FEATuRE Jennifer GouldinG | PHoTogRAPHy davide lovatti

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sitting room subdued oatmeal tones are enlivened by green, gold and peacock accents.

Jane and Hugh collected many of the paintings on their travels. the large Slowcoach sofa, from ÂŁ1,395, loaf, is similar. interior design in collaboration with tor vivian, tor interiors

A

KITCHEN ‘This school bench is incredibly useful and beautifully made,’ says Jane. bulthaup cabinetry to order, price on application, Kitchen Architecture. Vintage bench, £850 for two, the Conran Shop

DINING AREA Exposed brickwork and a vintage wooden dining table add rustic touches.

For similar Danish ladderback chairs, try 1stdibs. Pole walnut floor lamp, £190, habitat, would also work here

fter working in New York and Tokyo for several years, Jane and Hugh Peters returned to the UK with their son and daughter and set about house-hunting in London. ‘We made a quick decision,’ says Jane. ‘This house was quite ordinary architecturally, but the transport links were good, there were two large parks nearby and my son’s school was just around the corner, so it ticked quite a few boxes.’

Jane and Hugh both agreed that the layout needed to be reconfigured to fit their lifestyle. ‘Our plan was to make the ground floor more open-plan, but the idea of turning it into one big noisy space was unappealing,’ says Jane. ‘The house had originally been designed as a series of rooms and we felt we should respect that.’

Realising that this would be a major project, she and Hugh enlisted the help of architect Andrew Dobson and interior designer Tor Vivian to bring their ideas to life. The first step was to establish their vision for the

d e c o r at i n g t i p ‘To create a scheme that can be easily updated, keep walls neutral and add colour by using artwork, books and soft furnishings’ replanned space. ‘Hugh and I love to cook, so having a sizeable kitchen with a big, practical cooking area was a priority,’ says Jane. ‘Also on our wish list was an extra-long island, a double fridge and plenty of storage for our ceramics.’

Another must-have for the couple was a cosy area that could be closed off from the kitchen. Andrew’s solution was to keep the original double reception room, but to divide it from the rest of the ground floor with a set of glazed doors. The small kitchenconservatory-dining room and terrace were then reconfigured to create a sleek L-shaped kitchen and dining area. He also made the entrance hall wider and lighter by extending at the side of the 62 | 2 5 b H M Ay 2019

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iNsPiriNg

home truths t H E P r o P E r t Y terraced house, built around 1880 L o c At i o N London r o o M s hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, tV room, snug, utility room, cloakroom, four bedrooms (two en suite), three bathrooms P U r c H A s E D 2008 PrEVioUs ProPErtY ‘we lived in an apartment in New york before moving back to england,’ says Jane.

property and installing a skylight. ‘It’s made a huge difference,’ says Jane.

While the building work was being carried out, Jane worked closely with Tor on the interior. ‘Most of the furniture we brought back from abroad went to our holiday house in France, so we had a blank canvas when it came to decoration,’ says Jane.

While the couple favoured a contemporary kitchen, they were also keen to preserve original features, such as the cornicing. Jane also wanted the ground-floor walls to be painted white.

‘I prefer to add colour with books, paintings and fabrics, although I do love green,’ she says. ‘When we lived in New York, I painted our walls acid green. I could tell my neighbours were thinking, “Uh-oh, eccentric English woman”, but I thought they looked great.’ So it’s not surprising that Jane has used shades of green throughout. The stair runner is a vibrant emerald, while cooler olive, sage and gold set a more sophisticated tone for the reception rooms.

‘Environment is very important to me,’ says Jane. ‘I hate it if my house doesn’t feel harmonious. Our overall design vision was for something clean but warm,’ she adds. ‘We feel we’ve achieved both those things and, actually, a good deal more.’ fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

MAIN BEDROOM Warm, earthy neutral tones give this space a relaxing, cosseting ambience.

Magnolia tree wallpaper, £65 a roll, Designers guild. the Carrington quilt would work here, £320, the white Company

EN sUITE Jane decided to take the metro tiles up to the ceiling for a luxurious look. retro Metro South Kensington wall tiles, £79sq m; battersea basin,£500, both Fired earth

sON’s BEDROOM The feature wall highlights the eaves. woods wallpaper, £85 a roll, Cole & Son at John Lewis & Partners. try the roscoe double bed, £399, Made.com

IN WITH THE NEW

Sophie Allsopp’s passion for property and flair for design had her eager to tackle a new renovation project FEATURE AMANder MeAde | PHOTOgRAPHY rACHAeL SMiTH

SITTING ROOM A favourite piece of contemporary art and zesty orange cushions add personality to the otherwise minimal and neutral scheme.

Friendly Folk orange cushions, £65 each, Andrew Martin. Screen print, £495, Guy Allen

r e n ovat e d c o t tag e | 25bh INSPIRINg

home truths

THE PROPERTY Victorian cottage L O C AT I O N Norfolk R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, playroom, four bedrooms (one en suite), shower room, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a modern detached property in a nearby village,’ says Sophie.

KITCHEN An island and trio of bar stools act as an informal dining area for every day.

Hay oak stools, £195 each, Amara. Cabinetry, price on request, Sophie & Boo; painted in Black Pearl eggshell, £55 for 2.5L, Fenwick & Tilbrook

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GUEST bEdROOM Comfortable, oversized pillows in pale, coastal shades lend a welcoming feel to the peaceful room.

Pillows, from £49.99 each; Vienne throw, £225, all The White Company.

Aldwych side table, £400, Neptune, has a similar look

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S

ophie Allsopp couldn’t believe her luck when the perfect renovation property came up for sale in her favourite Norfolk village. With a large garden and stunning views of parkland on all sides, the house had originally been an estate worker’s home. ‘The cottage was extended over 30 years ago, but after that it had been consistently rented out as a holiday let, which had taken its toll on the building,’ says Sophie. ‘A full renovation was needed to make it suitable for comfortable family living.’

As Sophie runs her own property and design consultancy, Sophie & Boo, she was able to call upon her trusted team of builders and tradesmen to apply their skills to her new home. The first job was to remove a badly sited wall on the ground floor, which had been put up to cram in a further bedroom downstairs. ‘I wanted to open up the living space and transfer the kitchen from one end of the cottage to the other, so that particular wall had to go,’ she says. Out too came the old kitchen, bathrooms and carpets as the team stripped the cottage back to its bare bones. The entire plumbing and wiring systems were replaced and the storage heaters swapped for stylish new cast-iron radiators. The final heavy job was to push back one of the walls in the main bedroom, which created

d e s i g n t i p ‘Make the most of natural textures to add character – stone flooring gives a luxurious finish and timber cabinetry brings out the personality of a house’ just enough space to install an en suite. ‘We were fortunate that the house itself was originally so well built. The work took four months but was thankfully very straightforward.’

With a new family bathroom installed and a kitchen crafted and built to her own design, Sophie turned her attention to the decor. ‘I was determined to reintroduce some modern country appeal,’ she explains. ‘I installed panelling in several rooms as I think it always adds warmth and character, which the cottage definitely deserved.’

Selecting pale, muted tones for walls and furnishings made for a light, open look, while brighter colours were added with well-chosen accessories. Shying away from the easier option of spotlights in the kitchen-diner, Sophie chose tiers of softer lighting instead. ‘I used under-counter lights, lamps and pendants to create a more relaxed atmosphere,’ she says. Large limestone floor tiles run throughout the ground floor, while the original floorboards upstairs have been painted white, providing a rustic touch and making the rooms feel more spacious.

Sophie describes her overall strategy for the cottage as pared-back and practical for life with a four-year-old daughter, Florence. Yet it’s undeniably stylish, too. ‘This cottage is such a friendly house all year round,’ says Sophie.

‘In summer we open up the doors leading to the garden, which is wonderful, and in winter we get all cosy inside with the woodburner keeping us lovely and warm – it’s a really welcoming place to call home.’ fo r sto c k i sts g o To W her e To b u y

b AT H R O O M A large Velux window makes the compact area feel larger.

Chatsworth double-ended roll-top bath, £500, Victorian Plumbing. Wooden bath tidy, £49, The White Company

P L AY R O O M Florence’s friends love this elevated bed, which doubles as a den, too.

Similar children’s cabin bed, £599, Cuckooland

RemembRance of things past

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For Paula Barnes, the romantic story behind a neglected period house provided the inspiration for its restoration FEATURE SARA EMSLIE | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHEL WHITING

KITCHEN-dINEr Handmade Shaker units are teamed with factory-style lighting and vintage seating for an industrial look.

Units painted in Purbeck Stone estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.

Vintage school chairs, £60 each, Peppermill Interiors. Try the Brooklyn cone wall lights, £79 each, Industville

2 5 b H M Ay 2019 | 69

INSPIRINg

home truths

THE PROPERTY Detached Victorian house L O C AT I O N East Sussex R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, dining room, office, utility room, larder, five bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2013 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a brick-and-flint home on the Sussex South Downs,’ says Paula.

UTILITY room Stone flooring with a beautifully aged patina adds rustic appeal.

Tala flamed and tumbled floor tiles, £69.96sq m, Claybrook

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M

ost people fall in love with a house for its physical attributes, but for interior designer Paula Barnes it was the story behind the crumbling wreck of a country home up for sale that proved an instant attraction.

Needing a bigger house for her family, Paula spotted the period property online but it was terribly neglected and a far cry from the exquisite place it had once been. Just the proportions of the rooms, a smattering of original features and the remains of what was once an intricate orangery were all that remained.

Once owned by a wealthy shipping magnate who married a Russian ballerina late in life, the home became a sanctuary for his orchid-growing indulgences and her passion for botanical paintings. The childless couple were eventually moved into care and the house, complete with remnants of its content – cheque books, Fifties vacuum cleaners and even a pair of ballet shoes – was left to fall into disrepair.

Enter Paula and her love of renovation. ‘I like a challenge and felt that it could be restored,’ she

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SITTING room Paula used to design and print fabrics, one of which features on the sofa.

For a similar sofa fabric, try Celia Birtwell Jacobean Griselda in Grey, ÂŁ52.52m, Blendworth.

Chair upholstered in Danube velvet, ÂŁ38m, The Cloth Shop

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guest BeDROOM Furnished with just a few antique pieces, this scheme has understated elegance. restored oak double bed, £775, wessex Antique bedsteads. red vintage eiderdown, £160.50, Petitbrocante at etsy

en suite the skirting, window frame and door were painted blue to lift the neutral scheme. woodwork painted in Light blue estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball

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DESIGN TIP ‘Get

the basics right for modern living, such as underfloor heating and great showers.

The rest is about having things around you that you love’ says. ‘It was solidly built on top of a hill surrounded by trees and had such an amazing history. I just wanted to save it.’ Despite needing extensive repairs, Paula could see that the original layout was ideal for her family – Eve, then 19, Arthur, 17, and Audrey, 13, plus their two dogs.

As far as possible during the renovation, Paula and her team used the materials they had on site and, thanks to some skilled carpentry, they restored the original banisters. Only one stone fireplace remained, so Paula used this as a reference to source similar pieces for the other rooms. The only major reconfiguration was the kitchen, which was opened up and fitted with black-painted wooden doors and Shaker units to help create a contemporary take on a utilitarian scullery-style space.

The scale of the project provided Paula with a blank canvas to source the antiques she loves. ‘I wanted everything to be individual,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t cost more, it just takes time to find the right pieces. Searching for things in Europe and on the internet was my way of relaxing.’

All Paula’s hunting paid off – Belfast sinks from Scotland, glazed doors from a Belgian château and patterned encaustic tiles were found at antiques markets along the way – and her attention to detail has made the interior elegant and distinctive.

‘It has an authentic time-worn feel about it, which suits the house and seems a fitting gesture to its romantic history, too.’ fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

SETTING THE SCENE

When film producer Lynne Millar discovered a light-filled, elegantly proportioned townhouse, it was perfectly suited to her work and home life FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

v i c to r i a n tow n h o us e | 25bh DISTINCTIVE

home truths

THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, cloakroom, lobby, study, three bedrooms, two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, I had a flat in South Kensington,’ says Lynne.

SITTING ROOM Lynne’s calm, uncluttered style keeps the focus on key pieces.

Panelling painted in Plummett and Cornforth White, estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.

Wooden flooring, price on request, Waxed Floors. Bronze ballerina sculpture by Helge Leiberg, price on request

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KITCHEN Lynne needed only to add some personal touches to the existing kitchen when she purchased the house.

Bespoke cabinetry, Martin Moore.

Cluny Classic range cooker, from £4,180, Lacanche rEar HaLL an original door leads to the practical area that Lynne has created for coats and bags.

For similar coat hooks, from £38, try The Door Knocker Company

T

he quest for the perfect property may sometimes lead prospective buyers on a long, arduous journey. But when film producer Lynne Millar came across her Victorian terrace home in the spring of 2015, events moved at a pace. ‘I’d searched across London, but when I went to view this property I fell for the quirky small-town, low-rise feel of the street even before I saw the house,’ Lynne recalls. ‘Once I stepped inside, almost everything appealed, including the fact that there was ample space to work from home and a 70-feet back garden for Pip, my beloved English cocker spaniel.’

The house offered Lynne the peaceful, creative space she craved and what’s more, required very little work. Serendipitously, Lynne’s own property, a South Kensington flat with grand proportions, high

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lessons learnt ‘Hoarding things requires extra storage. It’s better to give stuff away and only keep the things that really matter’ ceilings and decorative plasterwork, sold very quickly. Six weeks later, to her amazement, Lynne moved in to her new home. She credits the previous owner with doing much of the hard work of gutting the whole house, opening up the ground and lower-ground floors, updating the electrics and plumbing, and fitting the new, good-quality bathrooms and kitchen. Even smaller details, such as the raised grain of the wooden floors – as if washed for decades with soap and water – and the patina of the stone floors, felt right

to Lynne. ‘I don’t plan to have any rugs,’ she explains, ‘I love the clean and crisp look and it’s much easier with Pip.’ Lynne’s interventions have been subtle, not least because the layout is so perfectly suited to her work and home life. A former bedroom on the second floor is now an office and on the surprisingly light-filled lower-ground floor, the open-plan kitchen also functions as an occasional boardroom and a place for working lunches. ‘It’s a light house, partly because most of the interior doors are partially 2 5 b h M ay 2019 | 77

B at H R O O m understated luxury creates a soothing sanctuary. an antique table adds colour and contrast. bath and taps, price on request, the Albion bath Company. bath exterior painted in railings estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball

glazed and the original windows are huge. It makes for a very soothing atmosphere,’ she comments.

To help her create a calm but homely interior, Lynne turned to her friend, interior stylist, author and homeware designer Cassandra Ellis, whose tranquil, restful style she admired. ‘Although I liked the colours I inherited, I prefer a lighter, warmer palette,’ says Lynne.

‘Not only was Cassandra able to advise on paint colours, but she also has a great “little black book”. She put me in touch with a good plumber, Matthew Cox for antiques, a local decorator, and a joiner who made shutters – I have never been a fan of curtains – and she also introduced me to Marianna Kennedy’s book cloth blinds.’

Lynne realised at an early stage of her move from Kensington that she would need to edit her collection of modern art since the 78 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

scale of most of the works was too large for her new home. ‘This wasn’t too disappointing as I realised that I’d prefer to have fewer really beautiful things than lots of bits,’ she says. ‘I admire the designer Rose Uniacke’s pared-back style and have bought one or two items from her, including the exquisite blue linen fabric slip-covering on a number of chairs.’

There are two very special pieces that Lynne always takes with her: a simple country antique table in the kitchen, which was a gift from her father, and a bronze ballerina statue by Helge Leiberg. ‘I bought it from a dealer friend, who was a former neighbour,’ she says, ‘and it has strong links to a happy past.’ On that spring day when Lynne found a house so ideal for her needs, it seems the lightest of touches was all it took to set the scene for a happy future.

v i c to r i a n tow n h o us e | 25bh stuDy Lynne removed the carpet from this former bedroom and had the floors sanded and sealed to create a smart, practical ofce. the framed artwork is by ryan Mcelhinney. Storage boxes, from £3.50, Ikea

main BEDROOm a restrained palette and minimal furnishings keep Lynne’s bedroom tranquil and restful.

Shell uplighter, price on request, Cox London. bloomingville green glass vase, £43, Amara, has a similar look

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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KITCHEN-dINEr

With its striking matt black units, terrazzo worktops, turquoise tiles and soft pink walls, the space is a natural talking point.

Kungsbacka kitchen units, from ÂŁ22, Ikea. Walls painted in Setting Plaster modern emulsion, ÂŁ46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Design conceived by Canham & Hart

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INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Edwardian mid-terrace L O C AT I O N Southeast London R O O M S Hall, two sitting rooms, kitchen-diner, cloakroom, three bedrooms, bathroom P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a Victorian maisonette nearby,’ says Alex.

OUTSIDE THE BOX Alex Hart applied plenty of creative thinking to the renovation of her home and the striking result is a perfect blend of old and new FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

2 5 b H M Ay 2019 | 81

A

successful renovation story usually involves a dash of daring and fortunately the owners of this traditional southeast London terrace had plenty of courage when it came to reimagining their home. Alex Hart and husband James wanted to preserve the best of their Edwardian property while updating it for modern living. And their dramatic rear extension certainly fulfilled that brief.

One half of design duo Canham & Hart, Alex had plenty of ideas at the ready but the family, which includes Max, four, and Ada, one, decided to live in the house for a while before making any drastic alterations.

‘We had just moved here from a maisonette nearby, which we had modernised by removing several of the walls for an open-plan feel,’ says Alex. ‘At first, we considered a conventional lateral extension, much like those our neighbours had done. But we soon realised that we missed that sense of apartment living, where each space connects seamlessly with the next.’

As a result, Alex conceived a bold, double-height rear addition complete with Crittall-style, triple-glazed black aluminium windows. ‘We wanted to drop the floor of the extension to ground level so that we’d have direct, step-free access to the outdoors,’ explains Alex. The result is a light and lofty space that incorporates a striking mezzanine where the kitchen overlooks a new living area.

The renovation required the family to move out for a few months. Fortunately, they were able to stay with Alex’s parents nearby. ‘We knocked out almost all the internal walls downstairs to create an open-plan space,’ says Alex. ‘But we also wanted to honour as many of the existing original details as possible, such as fireplaces, floorboards, cornicing and ceiling roses. The aim was to update rather than totally transform this treasured home.’

While the ground floor has benefited from a loft-like feel, the first floor retains much of its original layout with three bedrooms and a reconfigured bathroom.

The windows at the rear have been replaced to match the steel-framed extension for a cohesive look, and the interiors throughout feature pastels, from plaster pink to lemon yellow, punctuated by shots of bolder colour.

The newly configured spaces have proved ideal for larger family gatherings. But unsurprisingly, Alex is reluctant to rest on her laurels. ‘Next we have plans for a loft extension to accommodate a generous master suite so that Max can move into our existing bedroom,’ says the interior designer. But for now, she is content to enjoy the unique blend of old and new revealed by this sensitive restoration. ‘We’ve risen to the challenge of merging contemporary updates with original features,’ she reflects. ‘We owed that to the house. After all, it’s been standing a lot longer than we have.’

SITTING ROOM

The vintage plaited linen chairs bring a mid-century feel to the pastel scheme, with a dark pendant providing contrast.

eva chairs by bruno Mathsson, £1,130 each, Furniture File. Priscille side table, £149, La redoute. ocean herringbone rug, £480, Design Vintage

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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futur e plans ‘We’d love to create a loft suite with the same generous, metal-framed windows that we used in the extension’

MAIN BEDROOM

A navy headboard and artwork add depth. headboard upholstered in Navy linen, £26m, the Cloth Shop. Smaller blue and neon screenprints, £45 each, Alice Nava

BATHROOM

Plaster pink walls, matt black fittings and graphic tiles add a contemporary note to this room.

Architecture matt white tiles, £59.40sq m, Fired earth.

Circum round mirror, £157, Made in Design

ADA’S ROOM

A colourful headboard and tepee create a playful scheme, intended to evolve as Ada grows. walls painted in Purbeck Stone estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball. Kelim rug, £199, Ferm Living. Nobodinoz Arizona tepee, £124, Smallable.

For a similar pendant, try Sinnerlig, £40, Ikea

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lofty ideas

An unexpected setback during work on Romilly Turner’s new kitchen led to a total reimagining of her cleverly converted warehouse and its striking industrial features FeaTure KAREN JENSEN-JoNES | phoTography NICK SmITH

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wa r e h o us e c o n v e r s i o n | 25bh SITTING ROOM Rugged brickwork and exposed pipes are softened by Romilly’s unique artwork and textiles.

Similar rugs, from £150, The Weave Rug Company. Vintage magazine rack, from £10; mid-century chair, from £115, both eBay. Angled green light, £145, Decorexi, is similar

unique

home truths

The properTy Converted Victorian warehouse L o c aT i o n North London r o o m s Hall, sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms p u r c h a s e d 2008 previous properTy ‘Before moving here, we lived in a Georgian townhouse in Hackney,’ says Romilly.

KITCHEN The copper half-height room divider, designed

by Romilly, is a practical and distinctive feature.

Bespoke kitchen cabinets, Romilly Turner Interior Design; painted in Granite eggshell, £57.60 for 2.5L, Fired Earth. Double Belfast sink, £589.99, Tap Warehouse

W

hen Romilly Turner decided it was time to replace the kitchen in her warehouse home, she had not anticipated a major renovation. ‘The kitchen was dominated by a large island and my initial idea was simply to use the space more wisely,’ she says. ‘There was also a bathroom off the kitchen, which I decided

to relocate to the floor below. However, once the work began, a slow leak was discovered, which was causing the joists to sag and push on the structure of the building.’

Romilly, an interior designer, decided to make the most of this unexpected complication and her home became her first major design project since starting her business the year before. Drawing on the 2 5 b h m Ay 2019 | 85

25bh | wa r e h o us e c o n v e r s i o n B AT H R O O M As this room lacks natural light, Romilly has embraced the darkness by using moody colours and vibrant green wall tiles above the bath. walls painted in off black estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball. green brick tiles, £150sq m, otto tiles

GUEST BEDROOM Ethnic cushions and rugs are Romilly’s signature style, bringing colour and pattern to the otherwise raw look.

Multicoloured cushions, £325 each, A rum Fellow. Kilim bed runner, £69.99, etsy. blue linen bed cover, £155, Pink Chalk Linen Co

f a v o u r i t e r o o m ‘I love the bathroom, as it’s a mix of traditional and modern.

I started with the beautiful green tiles and the scheme took shape from there’ wisdom of her friend and mentor Clare Barnett, she was able to undertake a more thorough renovation and gradually developed her own distinctive style.

‘This building is beautiful, with many original features from its warehouse days, and it had been sympathetically renovated by the previous owner,’ says Romilly, who shares the space with her partner, Alex.

‘I love the different floor levels, high ceilings, exposed brickwork and pipes, and I wanted to enhance the industrial feel, using natural materials like copper and wood.’

Another issue with the layout was a dividing wall between the open-plan kitchen and sitting room, which blocked out a lot of natural light. Romilly had ideas for a unique half wall. ‘The kitchen is a different height from the sitting room so I wanted 86 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

something to delineate the zones while retaining the lovely double aspect light,’ she says. ‘I considered marble for the dividing screen, but it was too heavy and expensive. Then I remembered some samples of oxidised copper I’d seen while working on designs for another house. The colour is warm, the texture is in keeping with the industrial style of the house – and it’s become a statement feature.’

Romilly was also keen to incorporate colour and print. ‘I’ve always liked unusual colour combinations and I wanted the house to feel cosy, which is challenging when it’s so industrial,’ she says. ‘I chose a cool grey backdrop and brought in colour through art, soft furnishings and lighting.’

The choice of moody shades for the relocated bathroom was daring, considering

it has no natural light. ‘As the bathroom is so dark, I decided to work with it,’ she says.

‘I used a blue-black colour on the walls and ceilings and beautiful deep green tiles in the shower. I wanted to create layers of traditional and contemporary styles, using black-and-white Victorian floor tiles alongside modern sanitaryware. I chose handpainted, brass-profile cupboard handles and timeless nickel taps, for a lovely combination that won’t date quickly.’

Despite the initial disruption, Romilly is delighted that her original plan for a kitchen renovation took such an unexpected turn. ‘The new kitchen layout has been well worth the upheaval, as it’s brought so much more space and light into our home,’ she says. ‘It’s been a journey of discovery that I’ve really embraced.’ fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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Best Of BOTH WORlds Julia Cook and Dominic Millest’s gem of a home is a city abode that’s full of light, calm and character FEATURE ANNABELLE GRUNDY | PHOTOGRAPHY COLIN POOLE

W

hen Julia Cook and her husband Dominic Millest began looking for a new home, they agreed that they did not want to move far.

‘We were living near Victoria Park, in east London, and I loved the green, open spaces,’ says Julia. ‘It was also close to my jewellery shop, so although we were keen to find another house to renovate, we were reluctant to move any closer into town.’

Finding the right house proved to be more of a challenge than the couple anticipated. ‘We’d been looking for some time and hadn’t found anything

88 | 2 5 B H M AY 2019

suitable,’ says Julia. ‘Then our agent told us that this place, which is close to Walthamstow marshes and a big nature reserve on the river Lea, was coming on to the market. The house had been rented out to students, so it was totally run-down, but Dominic and I liked the original features and could see it had plenty of potential. The property was being sold via closed bids, so we decided to make an offer. Luckily, ours was the winning bid!’

Once the sale had been completed, Julia and Dominic moved into temporary accommodation, together with their three children, and drew up a

v i c to r i a n te r r ac e | 25bh

INsPIRING

home truths

THE PROPERTY Mid-terrace house, circa 1900 l O C AT I O N East London R O O M s Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, garden room, cloakroom, conservatory, five bedrooms (one en suite), three bathrooms P U R C H A s E d 2015 PREVIOUs PROPERTY ‘We were living in a smaller house, not far away from here,’ says Julia.

KITCHEN-DINEr The striking ceiling beams, which were discovered under plasterboard, add interest, while the bespoke window seat provides valuable extra storage.

Vintage table, eBay. Eames DSR dining chairs, £255 each, The Conran Shop. The Hanna wood and metal bar stools, £129 each, Swoon, are comparable

2 5 B H M AY 2019 | 89

25bh | v i c to r i a n te r r ac e GARDEN ROOM Julia likes to make unexpected decorating choices – hence the luxurious seating in here. elizabeth teck bench by Nathan yong, £3,261; Anda armchair, £2,428; both Ligne roset. Metal doors,price on request, Marlin windows

schedule of work. ‘We had a good team of builders from previous renovations, which was just as well as the house needed gutting,’ says Julia. ‘All the electrics and plumbing had to be replaced and the jewel-like stained-glass panels were badly in need of restoration. But we also had some pleasant surprises,’ she adds. ‘With all the students’ mess and clutter gone, we could see how large the rooms

f a v o u r i t e f e a t u r e ‘I absolutely love the stained glass in the conservatory because the bright colours make me think of jewels’ really were, which we hadn’t fully appreciated before. We also discovered some lovely marble fireplaces with the original tiled surrounds, which had previously been boarded up. And beneath the shabby carpets were the original wooden floorboards. I feel strongly about keeping period features wherever possible, so the floors and fireplaces were an unexpected bonus.’

A key focus of the renovation was the spacious basement kitchen. ‘I found the low basement ceiling quite oppressive, but we didn’t want the expense of raising it,’ explains Julia. ‘We simply pulled off the plasterboard and painted the beam structure white instead. The ceiling feels slightly 90 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

higher now and it makes for an interesting feature.’

The couple also reused their old cabinetry. ‘When I realised the kitchen furniture from our previous home was destined for a skip, I asked the new owners if I could take it, as it had been beautifully made for us and it still had years of life left in it,’ Julia continues. ‘We had an island unit built to blend in and it all works really well.’

Nine months later, with the structural work nearing completion, Julia began planning the interior decoration. ‘I like having a backdrop of calming shades and then adding splashes of colour,’ she explains. ‘On display, I’ve also got collections of stones and shells, lots of glassware and lamps, and groups of artwork, which might be something created by a friend or one of my children. I’m a big fan of gold, copper and brass, too. I use gold a lot in my jewellery business, Branch on the Park, as the warm metals flatter and add a lovely glow to everything. There’s no firm plan, but it all seems to come together somehow.’

Now that the renovation is finished, Julia and Dominic are pleased with the results. ‘The project was challenging but a huge joy as well, and I found my enthusiasm carried me through,’ says Julia. ‘Of all the places we’ve lived, this is my favourite by far.

The atmosphere is always so peaceful, and I always feel calmer the moment I step through the door.

Walking the dog in the fields nearby feels like being in the country. It really is the best of both worlds.’

SITTING ROOM ‘We removed the doors on the conservatory to make it part of the space,’ says Julia.

Deep Dream sofa, £2,495, graham and green. walls painted in Sanderson Desert gold active emulsion, £43 for 2.5L, brewers

B AT H R O O M A roll-top bath was a must. ‘We had to take the plaster of the walls to get the freestanding tub to fit, so we left the brickwork exposed,’ says Julia. the JIg bisley cast-iron roll-top bath, £1,055, Victorian Plumbing, has this look

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

MAIN BEDROOM The Seventies-style white rattan bench was passed on by Dominic’s mother and the standard lamp adds to the retro feel. the toulouse settee, £588, turnbull & thomas, would work here. try the Pluma tilia shade, £375; and reed lamp stand, £595, both house of hackney

EN SUITE Julia kept the fittings simple to ensure that the tiles are the centre of attention.

Dandelion Marine/bone tiles, price on application, Marrakech Design. the traditional exposed shower in a nickel finish is comparable, £1,818, Aston Matthews

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 91

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r e ta i l c o n v e r s i o n | 25bh

Remote control Katherine and Matt Whitchurch oversaw the conversion of a Suffolk shop into their family home from thousands of miles away FEATURE ANNA TOBIN | PhoTogRAPhy RACHAEL SMITH

INSPIRINg

home truths T h E P R o P E R T y Grade II-listed terraced retail conversion L o C AT I o N Suffolk R o o M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen/diner, snug, utility room, cloakroom, games room, study, five bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, family bathroom, shower room P U R C h A S E D 2016 PREVIoUS PRoPERTy ‘We were living in a rented villa in Dubai,’ says Katherine.

Kitchen the room that once showcased the latest men’s designer clothes now houses classic units alongside more modern furniture and accessories.

Suffolk units painted in Shell with quartz worktops, from £12,000, Neptune. Muuto Nerd oak bar stools, £395 each, Nest. Oklahoma Natural floor tiles, £51sq m, Terrazzo Tiles

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 93

K

atherine and Matt Whitchurch moved to dubai with their daughter anna, now 12, and son James, 11, in 2008 when an exciting job opportunity arose for Matt, a management consultant. ‘it was a fantastic experience for all of us,’ says Katherine, who was a teacher. ‘i got a job in the children’s school, we met people from all over the world and made some really good friends. it was never the plan to stay forever though; we always viewed it as short-term.’

The couple began preparing to return about two years ago.

Their youngest child, Joe, now eight, was born in dubai and the family had outgrown their UK house, which they had been renting out. They sold it and began house hunting from the Middle east. ‘We searched online and then this former menswear boutique came up. We both remembered coming here to go shopping and thinking what a lovely house it would make because it was full of such interesting features.’

The grade ii-listed shop, dating from the 16th century, was being sold with planning permission to be converted into a home. The couple’s offer was accepted before they had viewed it, but a complication with the mortgage meant that Katherine and Matt had to install a temporary kitchen and bathroom before the sale could go ahead, but they finally got the keys in 2016.

‘We bought it a year and a half before we moved back,’ says Katherine. ‘it needed a lot of work to turn it into a home. as we weren’t based in the UK, we needed a builder that we could trust and communicate with, so we came over and met a few. We went with L&S Builders, because they’d worked on the property before and were used to working on listed buildings.’

The couple made some minor alterations to the original design, cleverly rearranging the space so that the en-suite 94 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

KiTchen

‘Our fabulous design team came up with the layout and sent the 3D images via email, so that we could fine-tune the design to suit us,’ says Katherine. ‘Shallow cupboards fitted to the uneven and leaning old wall maximise the space.’ As the property is Grade II-listed, the internal window had to stay, but it adds interest to the back wall and makes the snug lighter.

Walls painted in Dulux Heritage Ash White, £56 for 2.5L, Chapel Interiors. Muuto Grain pendant light in Dusky Green, £109, Nest

dining area

Bifold doors lead onto the courtyard garden, which is the next and final project in the house. ‘We’ll use the same floor tiles as in the kitchen-diner to create a seamless transition, and we also want to create a living wall,’ says Katherine.

Dulwich extending oak dining table, £1,775, Matthew Hilton for Case at John Lewis & Partners.

Muuto Fiber Side chairs in Dusky Green, £245 each, Nest. Bespoke bouquet of preserved white and blush hydrangeas, roses, gypsophila and ivy, price on application, Shida Preserved Flowers. Iittala Aalto vase, £86, Royal Design

FAVOURITE ROOM ‘We love spending time together in the kitchen-diner. The glass atrium roof floods it with light and the doors fold back to open up the house’

r e ta i l c o n v e r s i o n | 25bh SiTTing rooM

Old and new are juxtaposed with modern furniture and contemporary artwork under the exposed beams. ‘We bought this painting in Dubai to personalise our rented home there,’ says Katherine.

Lounge II sofa, from £1,488, and Frame Medium coffee table, £602, both Crate & Barrel, would work here. Handcrafted Modernist glass and brass ceiling light, £379, Inscapes Design at Etsy

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 95

bathroom was back to back with the family bathroom and creating five bedrooms where there had been four. with regular Skype chats and Katherine’s parents overseeing things, the entire conversion was co-ordinated from dubai.

‘Patrick doyle of l&S builders kept us up to date with photos via email and we spoke regularly,’ explains Katherine. ‘we spent the summer holidays here, choosing everything from paint to kitchen units. it was a lot to cram into a few weeks.’

The interior is designed to ensure that the home’s beautiful period features are the focal point of each room. original panelling covers the entrance hall and anna’s bedroom, where a Jacobean painting is also found on the ceiling. Meanwhile, in the main bedroom, a panel of an original hand-painted wall mural has been exposed and is now protected behind glass. ‘we kept the colour scheme neutral to let the features shine through,’ says Katherine. ‘and then we added bright pops of colour here and there, and more contemporary accessories and furniture to make the house a mixture of past and present.’

The family moved into their new home in 2017. The fresh start also inspired Katherine to change careers and retrain as a florist. her business, Shida Preserved Flowers, is based in her workroom at the top of the house. From here she creates beautiful preserved flower bouquets that last for months and many of these go to well-known design houses. ‘business is literally blooming,’ smiles Katherine. ‘now the house is finished and looks even better than we envisaged it would when we were back in dubai. it’s a lovely backdrop for displaying my work – and it’s always filled with flowers!’

96 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

BEST BUY ‘The encaustic tiles in the hallway are beautiful and give a warm and modern feel. We chose all of the tiles during a hectic morning in London’

hallway

Simple floor tiles complement the Jacobean wall panelling.

Varadero gris bleu encaustic cement tiles, £95.75sq m, terrazzo tiles

Main bedrooM

A Jacobean painted wall panel is protected behind glass. ‘I love seeing this piece of history and wondering who else has enjoyed it,’ says Katherine. ‘We bought the hand-knotted silk rug in Dubai. The shop staff brought at least 50 rugs to our home to choose from. Then there was the haggling!’

Mid-Century dining chair would work here, £299, west elm. Cowhide cushion is similar, £55, Amara

anna’S bedrooM

A palette of soft greys with splashes of turquoise, mustard, green and baby pink gives a very restful feel. The family would love to find out more about the painting on a framed panel above the fireplace. try Mid-Century bookshelf, £599, and Mini Desk, £399, both Acorn at west elm. Velvet pea cushion, £59; Castle Petal throw, £119, both Kip & Co at Antipodream

FaMily baThrooM

As the walls had to be reconfigured, the builders could add bespoke touches, such as this recessed shelf.

Picasso stone resin bath, £1,295, Lusso Stone. edinburgh washstand, £1,155, Neptune

r e ta i l c o n v e r s i o n | 25bh

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 97

Snap DeciSion In a matter of minutes, Lily and Col Pickard decided this was the home for them – and they haven’t looked back Feature Ifeoluwa adedejI | photography Paul CraIg

sitting Room the mid-century wooden sofa delineates the open-plan area.

Vintage ercol couch, £1,500, eBay. The soft velour cushion in Teal is similar, £8, Next.

The black-and-white Stockholm cushion has this look, £15, Ikea. Try the Bluefield lamp, £72, Castlegate lights

p e r i o d te r r ac e | 25bh

repLanneD

home truths

Dining Room An extendable table and mixed seating make this a flexible space to entertain family and friends.

Mira extending dining table in oak, £899; dining bench, £399, both ebbe gehl for john lewis & Partners. The Celia solid wood dining chairs are similar, £264.99 for four, wayfair.

Hexagonal graphic floor tiles, £107.65sq m, Terrazzo Tiles

t h e p r o p e r t y Victorian terraced house L o c at i o n South london r o o m S Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, cloakroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms p u r c h a S e D 2016 previouS property ‘we moved from a two-bedroom maisonette in a four-storey Victorian townhouse,’ says lily.

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25bh | pe r i o d te r r ac e KitChen Lily and architect Patrick designed these units, which were made by a local joiner. bespoke units, Cabinets JD. Leather loop drawer handles, £3 each; oak shelves with custom brackets, from a selection, all ebay

guest Bedroom Creating a relaxing space for visitors has proved essential as Lily frequently has people from abroad come over to stay.

Low loft bed, £309, get Laid beds. egyptian cotton 230 thread-count double duvet cover, £42.50, Marks & Spencer. Ari shelves, £15 each, urban outfitters

100 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

L

B at h r o o m this wet room-style space is designed to be practical, while maintaining an element of playfulness with the chevron tiling, bespoke brassware and blue ceiling.

Semaphore enterprise tiles are a match, £39sq m, Claybrook. Ceiling painted in Atlantic blue easycare bathroom paint, £22 for 2.5L, Dulux

ily and Col Pickard took just five minutes to view their home before deciding to put an offer in, but there was a good reason for their decisiveness. ‘We’d lost out on so many properties,’ says Lily. Although the sale went to closed bids, the couple managed to secure it. ‘Col is always on eBay and his strategy is to bid an obscure number, so we ended our offer with £272 and I think it was down to those few hundred pounds that we got it.’

On the couple’s second visit, the property seemed a lot lighter and larger than they had remembered, but it needed to be brought into line with their tastes. ‘The house was lovely, but very beige,’ recalls Lily, an interior designer at Fox92. ‘It wasn’t very practical, as our son, Ethan, was a toddler and we also have a dog, so you can imagine how long it took before everything got dirty.’

To rectify this problem, they took up the carpets and repainted the walls, but didn’t do anything else until a year after they moved in. ‘By then, we had lived in the house long enough to know how we wanted the layout to be and how we’d use it,’ says Lily.

Working with architect Patrick Owens of Patrick and Ryan proved fruitful, as he had very similar ideas to Lily and Col. He also helped them choose their builder. The house had been altered by its previous owners. ‘They had knocked through between the sitting and dining area, and there was a galley kitchen,’ says Lily. But there was still scope for improvement. By extending into the side return and knocking down the wall that separated the kitchen and dining area, the family was able to open the space up even further.

Lily and Col also extended into the loft to create a guest suite and wanted to add a dormer spanning the entire roof space.

‘But as we live in a conservation area, we weren’t allowed,’ says Lily. ‘We decided that planning consent for the large rooflight in the kitchen was more important, as we’d be spending more time there.’

The loft bathroom and the kitchen both feature brassware made by Lily and Col’s builder. ‘I showed him a picture of the type of taps I wanted,’ says Lily. ‘Mindful of our budget, he said he could make them, which he did, using copper piping and garden taps.’

Deciding on a loft extension has proved a good move. ‘It gives our guests their own space,’ says Lily, ‘while extending downstairs has created an area to socialise with friends and relatives. We feel we’ve made the most of this special space.’

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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DINING AREA Film-themed posters pick up the beach hut tones of the walls.

Posters, from £6.95 each, Juniqe.co.uk. Frames, £17 each, Frames.co.uk. Main wall painted in Mercury Shower 4 flat matt, £29.16 for 2.5L, Dulux. Calia dining table, £399, John Lewis & Partners, would work in this space

centr al line

From the moment Sophie Hurcum viewed an unusual apartment in the heart of the city, she knew she had to make it her own Feature SARAH MABER | PhotograPhy JAMES FRENCH

u r b a n a pa r tm e nt | 25bh mAIN bEDRoom Sophie customised the chest of drawers with new knobs.

Hemnes chest of drawers, £230, Ikea. Drawer knobs, from £6, Anthropologie.

Rattan rug, £30, eBay. Try Marble nesting tables, £199.99, Zara Home

distinctive

S

ophie Hurcum had one requirement for her new home: a short walk to work in the City of London. ‘I drew a circle that marked a sevenminute walk and told estate agents that I only wanted to live within that area,’ she says. ‘Walking to work makes a huge difference to your happiness.’

Sophie didn’t find anything she liked until the estate agent showed her a flat with a rather unusual layout. ‘It was on the fourth floor of an Eighties block and every room was double height, with a mezzanine level,’ she says. ‘I knew immediately it was the one.’

No structural work was needed and the walls were all white, but Sophie waited a year to start decorating.

‘I wanted to use a lot of colour,’ she says, ‘so I took my time working out what shades I wanted.’ Rather than relying on decorators, Sophie decided to do the painting herself. ‘I enjoy painting,’ she says. ‘It’s peaceful and satisfying.’ And the striking, diagonal lines in the flat were born from necessity rather than design. ‘When I was painting the sitting room I didn’t have a stepladder, so I couldn’t reach the ceiling! I decided to do a diagonal wall, to finish when I got a ladder. But I liked it and decided to make that a theme in all the rooms.’

Sophie’s eclectic style and space-saving ideas mean that every nook and cranny has been carefully considered and put to use. Bedside tables are wall

mounted to maximise space; the usually dead understairs areas are filled with cosy chairs, bureaus, rugs and lamps; her kitchen table doubles as a wine rack and benches tuck away the ProPerty under the dining table.

Apartment, built in 1989 ‘The mezzanine levels l o c at i o n South London essentially mean there is r o o m s Sitting room, kitchen-diner, two bedrooms, double the space,’ says Sophie. bathroom ‘Beds are upstairs, which leaves P u r c h a s e d 2011 downstairs free for a sofa, desk Previous ProPerty ‘I moved from a rented, and space to get ready. I have two-bedroom flat on nearby the sitting room up on the Bermondsey Street,’ says Sophie. mezzanine level and the dining area downstairs, next to the kitchen. I think some of the other people who viewed the flat struggled to see how they would use the space, but I fell in love with it straight away.’

Sophie credits Instagram for helping her hone her style. ‘It gave me the confidence to do things myself, rather than pay someone else to do them,’ she says. ‘I realised I was drawn to many different styles, from minimalist to maximalist, bright colours to dark. In the end, I decided that if I just bought the things I loved and put them in a space, it would all tie together.’

home truths

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kitchen Matt black walls contrast with pale pink accent areas to give a modern edge. Sophie chose a chair that picks up on the pink hue and added shelves to show of her favourite collectables. walls painted in black Matt chalkboard paint, £11.73 for 1L, and Muted rose matt emulsion, £12 for 2.5L, both b&Q Colours. Masters-style chair, £54.99, ebay. For a watermelon cushion, try booandbearbaby at etsy, £44.51. hand sculpture, £2.50, Flying tiger

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Sitting rooM on the mezzanine, Sophie has mixed old and new pieces, with an inviting reading nook tucked under the staircase.

Sark armchair, £625, Sofa.com. reindeer rug, from £145, hide rugs.

Vintage school desk, £80, etsy. eiffel chair, £59.99, ebay

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Main bedrooM Muted pinks create a cosy space.

Cushions, from £5, h&M home

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b at h r o o M Pale pink creates a fresh feel. try ceramic stool, £109, brand Alley

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gueSt rooM the bedding ties in with the antique gold sofa downstairs. the side table by the sofa is an old ballot box.

Duvet set, £19.99, h&M home. ballot box, £40, waterside Antiques. Margot sofa in Antique gold Velvet, £399.99, Made.com. walls painted in russian turquoise, £28 for 2.5L, Valspar

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF

PHOTOGRAPHY SIMON BEVAN

The one-stop edit of the best modern style and design ideas.

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Star-quality art

E

ssential in understanding SYRETT’S vision for Runway Gallery is his background working in the fashion industry. ‘There’s been a big discussion in the art world as to whether fashion should be within the arts,’ says SYRETT. ‘It seems ridiculous, because it should be.’ So for SYRETT, a fashionfocused gallery was ‘a natural thing to do’.

pushing boundaries

The gallery launched with 14 artists, but continues to grow. ‘Instagram has been instrumental in my search for new artists,’ he says. ‘Some don’t use fashion in their work, but they come from the industry.

We’ve got a new artist coming on board who’s been a fashion designer for years – Chinakwe. About a third of the artists on the site I already knew – photographers I’ve worked with, etc.’ Other newcomers include Martha Haversham, whose witty Found Fashion collection – pieces of detritus she’s turned into prints – appeals to SYRETT’S love of the extraordinary. visual treat

The prerequisite of Runway Gallery work, however, is beauty. ‘Beauty has become a dirty word in the art world,’ says 106 | 2 5 b h m aY 2019

SYRETT. ‘You’ve got the gritty aesthetic of street art and then you go into galleries and it’s about concepts – not necessarily about what is visually pleasing.’ But Runway Gallery proves there are plenty of takers for what is visually pleasing. The online site, post-Christmas 2018, has ‘gone bang’. ‘We’ve had success with Louise Dear.

Olly Howe has done really well. This has been more successful than I anticipated.’

More than just a gallery

Running in tandem to Runway is a supper club and the artists’ collective, the XIII. A way of getting all the artists to meet on a regular basis, the XIII aims to regain something of the art college vibe. But what has surprised SYRETT about the gallery’s progress is the major interest shown by interior designers. ‘I certainly didn’t expect it to happen at this stage,’ he says. ‘We’ve had talks about doing all the artwork for a hotel. We’re also looking to provide the work for a private club.’ the future’s bright

As well as additional artists and new collections (SYRETT, himself, is launching The Permanence of Possibilities on the site on 29 March), the Runway Gallery will have

a dedicated exhibition in Leeds this autumn, too. ‘I’ve been invited by Black Box, who have teamed up with Land Securities and the Trinity Centre in Leeds, to exhibit my work and I’ve extended this to the Runway Gallery artists,’ says SYRETT. ‘I’m thinking of calling it Salon Noir, after the cave in the south of France, which has Palaeolithic drawings. The Runway artists are all doing new work and creating “museum” pieces, as I’m calling them, so they’re not necessarily things to go into people’s homes. Then hopefully we’ll be bringing that back to London.’

Buy contemporary and affordable art from SYRETT and all the artists mentioned above and more at runway-gallery.com.

CoMing neXt Month Her passions include art and dance; her experience is creating make-up styles for some of the world’s top designers, such as Vivienne Westwood and Kansai Yamamoto. Bethany Perry’s work is bold and energetic, and displays an eye for the physical form.

France, £895, BY sYrett at runWaY gallerY

SYRETT, the artist who launched online Runway Gallery, tells us about his line-up of creatives, plans for the gallery and why beauty needs to be celebrated

c h a le t b ung a l ow | 25bh

Go with the flow Angela and Duncan Robertson created a spacious, open-plan home inspired by the architecture of their native South Africa FEATURE ANNA TOBIN | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

Kitchen

Traditional Shaker-style cabinets in a classic cream tone create a timeless feel.

The units are from Howdens; for similar, see its Fairford range, price on request.

Walls painted in Purbeck Stone estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.

Made-to-measure floating shelves, from £32m, BespOak Interiors

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25bh | c h a le t b ung a l ow SITTIng Room

The roomy L-shaped sofa brings a cosy feel to this open-plan space.

Sofa.com’s Izzy medium corner sofa in Clay House herringbone weave, £2,860, is similar. Try the Hudson leather tub chair, from £450, The Chesterfield Company.

Made-to-measure rug, Higherground

INSPIRINg

home truths THE PROPERTY Chalet bungalow L O C AT I O N Berkshire R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, snug, playroom, utility room, three bedrooms (one en suite), dressing room, bathroom, garden office P U R C H A S E D 2015 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘Before moving here, we lived in a two-bedroom terraced house in west London,’ says Angela.

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KITCHen

A striking extractor draws attention to the vaulted ceiling and provides shelf space for one of Angela’s much-loved plants.

Elica Bio island hood, £1,569, RDO Kitchens & Appliances.

Rangemaster Professional Plus 90cm Cranberry range cooker, £1,599, Ao.com

A

ngela and Duncan Robertson were keen to start a family in a home surrounded by green spaces, but there was a catch – it had to be near London, where Duncan works. Consequently, they chose Berkshire, because it has a fast rail link to the capital. ‘We looked at six or seven houses in this area,’ says Angela, ‘but we could see that this one had massive potential. Plus, it had a fantastic garden, which was a huge bonus as we spend a lot of time outdoors.’

Although the couple moved straight in, the building’s internal layout and decor weren’t to their liking. ‘It was very dated and was divided up into so many small spaces,’ says Angela. ‘It was like a rabbit warren with a maze of corridors and doors. We worked with our architect and structural engineer to reconfigure the house and re-level the floors to allow for open-plan living.’ They removed the fireplace, which was in the middle of the sitting room, and pushed the sitting room wall forward, sacrificing some kitchen space for a larger living area. In the kitchen, the units were replaced, and bifold doors and a vaulted ceiling added.

Soon after the work was completed, baby Finn arrived.

‘So that his accessories and toys weren’t spread all around the house, we turned the conservatory into a playroom,’ says Angela. ‘And we extended the kitchen out into the garden to create space for a dining area and a utility room.’

An architect did the drawings for the new scheme, which Angela project managed. Having fitted the kitchen 2 5 b H M Ay 2019 | 109

mAIn En suITE

A large walk-in shower has been positioned centrally to maximise the head height. hD geneva white matt wall tiles, £22.40sq m, tiles Direct, are similar. the Milan waterfall shower head, from £229.95, Victorian Plumbing, is a good alternative. oslo brown floor tiles, £19.98sq m, Porcelain Superstore

fInn’s bEdroom

‘I chose the wallpaper first, then made it the focal point by keeping furniture neutral,’ says Angela.

Safari kids’ map mural wallpaper, £36sq m, Murals wallpaper. try the classic cot bed, £425, the white Company. Kids’ teepee play tent, £38, hobbycraft

bAThroom

‘Our budget wouldn’t stretch to a real copper bath, but we managed to find this more affordable acrylic alternative,’ says Angela. heritage hylton bath, £1,856.40; similar textured Alps terra stone-effect wall tiles, £17.03sq m, both Victorian Plumbing

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not long before, the couple were keen to reuse the units and add to them and were delighted to find a nearby company that stocked them. Angela had wanted an island unit in the original kitchen, but there wasn’t enough room, so she was pleased to be able to fit a really large one in the extended area. ‘I love having so much prep space now, and friends and family naturally congregate around the island when we entertain – it has a lovely social aspect,’ she says.

Inspired by the couple’s childhood in Africa, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors, and between the different living areas, became key to the interior design.

‘We love the freedom of an open-plan layout and bringing nature in, and this is why the kitchen and sitting room flow into each other from either side of the internal wall,’ says Angela. ‘It’s also why I like having plants in the house.’

The colour scheme has been kept natural, too, with deep-sea blues, creams, browns and berry shades, and similar tones are found throughout the house. The bathroom, for example, features the same earthy-hued wall tiles as those behind the sitting room’s woodburner.

Engineered-wood flooring was laid in the sitting room to match the original flooring upstairs, where an entire floor has been given over to the main bedroom with an en suite bathroom and dressing room. ‘This is an inner sanctuary where we love to unwind at the end of a hectic day,’ says Angela. ‘The whole house is now just as we envisaged it – a series of inviting, welcoming spaces.’

c h a le t b ung a l ow | 25bh

GuEsT bEdroom

Faux exposed brick wallpaper adds warmth and character. rustica white paint bricks wall mural, ÂŁ36sq m, Murals wallpaper. For similar bedding, try Dry branch, ÂŁ199.05 for a king-size duvet cover and two pillow shams, Macrografiks at etsy

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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INSPIRING

home truths THE PROPERTY Victorian townhouse L O C AT I O N West London R O O M S Hall, sitting room, family room, dining room, kitchen-diner, one cloakroom, five bedrooms (three en suite), two dressing rooms P U R C H A S E D 2017 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a large detached family home in north London,’ says Sara.

SITTING ROOM

A sense of symmetry contributes to the sophisticated look.

Bourne three-seater sofa, £1,495, Luxdeco, is a close match to these. Artwork by Jeremy Annear, available from Ideelart

p e r i o d tow n h o us e | 25bh

pale perfection An elegant redesign of a double-fronted period property enabled Sara and Edmund Sarrouf to downsize without compromising on entertaining space FEATURE CHRISTINE STOVELL | PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL

KITCHEN

An understated palette and subtly reflective surfaces keep the kitchen fresh and light.

Bespoke cabinetry by Mark Wilkinson. Goodman pendant lamps, price on request, Circa

DINING ROOM

The antique books add colour as well as a personal touch.

For a similar-style light fitting, try the 12-light Antica, price on request, Christopher Wray

D

espite the fact that downsizing meant leaving behind an exquisite family house, with all its memories, Sara and Edmund Sarrouf embraced the idea of a fresh start. ’After the children left home, we decided to go smaller but we also wanted to live in an easier, less formal way,’ says Sara.

To help her with her deliberations, Sara turned to Romanos Brihi and Venetia Rudebeck, co-owners of interior designer practice Studio Vero, who had designed her previous, much larger home. ‘Romanos understood just what we needed from a home,’ she says. ‘He found and recommended a double-fronted property in

Kensington. It was by far the nicest house that we viewed, with a pleasing symmetry and generous space for entertaining.’

Inside, to achieve the seamless, free-flowing feel Sara wanted, some architectural revisions were necessary, most notably to the lower ground floor, where separate rooms and low ceilings contributed to a rather claustrophobic feel, while an assortment of elevations outside hindered access to the garden. These were problems that could be solved by the addition of a rear extension, a new layout, and a great deal of excavation. ‘Fortunately Romanos was able to put us in touch with a very good architect who had local 2 5 b H M Ay 2019 | 113

25bh | pe r i o d tow n h o us e

MASTER BEDROOM

This room is an oasis of calm.

Bespoke blossom scene by Henry Van Der Vijver. Obelisco lamps, price on request, Donghia

EN SUITE

An elegant pale blue accentuates the fresh feel of this space.

Units painted in Parma Gray estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball.

Gina wall lamps, price on request, Charles Edwards

knowledge and who could guide us through the process,’ says Sara.

‘In turn, the architect recommended an established team of reliable builders to carry out the work. We felt it was important to get the bare bones of the project correct at an early stage.’

The new arrangement created four floors of light, flexible accommodation and gave Sara the opportunity to introduce the simple but sophisticated elegance of American design, of which she is a devotee. ‘At this point, we faced the incredibly difficult task of editing our collection of antique furniture and fine art,’ says Sara.

‘Although we were downsizing, we wanted to retain as many of our favourite pieces as possible. Luckily, because Romanos and Venetia knew us and understood our tastes, they were able to help us select the pieces we were going to bring with us and then work the design around these items.’ As a result, the paintings on display work in perfect harmony with the colours in every room.

These carefully curated highlights form the basis of a soft colour palette, which changes subtly throughout the house. For example, in the master bedroom, a bespoke blossom scene has a glamorous yet soothing effect, while on the ground floor, the 114 | 2 5 b h m ay 2019

contemporary abstract paintings in the sitting and dining rooms are complemented by fresh shades of duck-egg blue.

An excellent rapport between Sara and her interior designers has produced a beautiful, sumptuous and unified home, where each room retains its own personality yet flows seamlessly into the next, with the added benefit that light now floods every floor. Sara is pleased to say that to everyone’s satisfaction, the project was completed on time and ‘more or less’ on budget.

‘An integrated way of living really does improve your home,’ says Sara. ‘Our previous house had separate rooms, but here the space is very versatile, which I love. We wanted something easier, which was still flexible enough for us to host the large gatherings we enjoy.

Even the garden, with the addition of a couple of outdoor heaters, becomes an extension of the house. We’ve hosted 80 people for drinks on the terrace and are able to sit outside late into autumn.’

So while moving house could have been an inconvenience, the actual result is a successful family home. ‘Not only do our children and grandchildren come to visit,’ says Sara, ‘but lots of our friends enjoy staying, too. All in all, this has been a great move.’

GUEST BEDROOM

The colours in the Indian-inspired wallpaper create a perfect foil for the gentle hue of the headboard.

Palampore Blossom wallpaper

by Soane Britain, price on request.

The Locarno table lamp, £49.99, Very, would work here

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e dwa r d i a n a pa r tm e nt | 25bh KITCHEN-dINEr The white-painted exposed brick wall keeps things bright, but also acts as a fabulous backdrop.

The Technik range of cabinetry is a match, price on request, Howdens.

Bianco extending table, £1,803; Jay 21 chairs in Livorno Turquoise, £311 each, all Adventures in Furniture.

Geometric monochrome rug, from £30, Design Vintage

open minded Nathalie Udvary drew on her Swedish roots to give her newly developed flat a light and spacious feel Feature MARISHA TAYLOR/EMMA KNOTT | photography JAMES FRENCH

2 5 b h M AY 2019 | 117

living area eschewing curtains or blinds, nathalie painted the window frames grey to introduce colour and create a feature.

Frames painted in Down Pipe dead flat emulsion, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball. rhonda tV unit in solid oak, £891, Adventures in Furniture

STUDY a round rug softens the appearance of this otherwise linear space.

Phantom hemp and jute rug, £120, Design Vintage. walls painted in Slate grey matt emulsion, £12 for 2.5L, homebase

inspiring

H

aving lived with family or in rental properties since moving to England from Sweden, first-time buyer Nathalie Udvary was looking for a one-off renovation project as an investment and to get a foot on the property ladder. ‘I wanted something run-down and affordable that, with some ingenuity, could be transformed the property edwardian conversion flat on a tight budget,’ explains the interior L o c at i o n North London stylist. ‘I had been looking around r o o m s hall, open-plan this part of north London for a while kitchen-diner/living area, study, bedroom, bathroom and was thrilled when I finally found p u r c h a s e d 2014 a pretty, red-brick Edwardian house previous property on a quiet road. It was outdated, but ‘I moved here from a rented structurally sound – ideal for what two-bedroom apartment in Stoke Newington,’ says Nathalie.

I wanted to do. I quickly realised the potential of creating two spacious apartments to sell on, rather than renovating and trying to sell the house as a whole.’

Nathalie started by adding an extension to the original sitting room to create an open-plan living space, which was large enough to accommodate seating, a dining table and kitchen in one. ‘I wanted this area to be bright and airy,’ she says. ‘I was born and raised in Sweden, where we like to allow as much natural light into our living zones as possible. I achieved this by

home truths

118 | 2 5 b h m Ay 2019

e dwa r d i a n a pa r tm e nt | 25bh

living area ‘This sofa is one of my favourite pieces of furniture,’ says nathalie. ‘not only do i use it all the time, but it also frames and defines this zone.’ blade three-seater sofa in Divine grey fabric with walnut legs, £1,374, Adventures in Furniture

adding two more windows in the roof of the new extension.

I fell in love with the resulting space and, a few weeks into the renovation, my plans changed again. I decided to keep the ground-floor flat and live there myself.’

Working with a dead space along the side of the property, Nathalie was able to add another room – now the bathroom.

And moving an internal wall enabled her to incorporate a galley kitchen running off the sitting and dining area. Mindful of her budget, she chose well-made but low-cost kitchen units and paired them with a more expensive stone worktop, which is hard wearing and also gives the kitchen an air of luxury.

‘My tenancy was coming to an end on my old flat and I had a very short timescale to decorate in,’ says Nathalie. ‘Preparation was key, so I worked out in advance every measurement, the style and colour of every design element and what furniture I wanted. I stuck to a palette of muted tones, using whites, blues and greys on the walls, and made a feature out of the main wall in the living area by exposing the brick and painting it white.

I love minimal, simple and functional design, but the key to preventing the flat from looking too cold was to inject character and warmth with natural materials, different textures, classically designed furniture and fun artwork.’

Nathalie is delighted with how things have turned out. ‘I now have a home that has a simple and calm look, perfect for my everyday needs,’ she enthuses. ‘Keeping this property wasn’t what I set out to do, but when I began developing the flat, maybe subconsciously I was simply designing my dream home.’ fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

Main BeDrOOM The soft blue wall colour ensures the neutral furnishings stand out. blue ground estate emulsion is a match for the wall colour, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball. Ditsy double duvet cover set, £40, habitat

2 5 b h m Ay 2019 | 119

25bh | p e r i o d te r r ac e

pure & simple Sophie and Sofiane Lahmar created a standout look by blending sleek design with accents of colour and texture FEATURE EMMA J PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH

120 | 2 5 b H M Ay 2019

REPLANNED

home truths

THE PROPERTY Victorian terrace L O C AT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, basement study/ utility room/playroom, two cloakrooms, five bedrooms (two en suite), two bathrooms P U R C H A S E D 2016 PREVIOUS PROPERTY ‘We moved here from a smaller terrace nearby,’ says Sophie.

SITTING ROOM A carefully curated palette and furnishings brings a serene feel to this elegant room.

Meridienne chaise, £6,905; Anderson slim sofa, £8,010, both Minotti. Patricia Urquiola Fat-Fat coffee tables, from £680 each, B&B Italia. Rug, from £355, Mad Men Jacob’s Ladder collection

by Louis De Poortere at Nina Burgess. Interior design, Into Interior Design

KITCHEN-DINEr ‘light interiors are the cornerstone of my look, so I wanted to go for a white palette,’ says Sophie. walls painted in Shallows intelligent matt emulsion, £50 for 2.5L, Little greene. Visu stools, £385 each, Muuto. Louis Poulsen Above pendants, £590 each, Nest

C

lean lines, graphic notes and natural textures are the hallmarks of French-born Sophie Lahmar’s decorating style. But when she moved to this roomy London terrace with her husband, Sofiane, and children, Nayla, now 14, Alex, 10, and Miya, five, she was keen to switch up the look and complement her simple aesthetic with pops of colour and pattern.

‘We were looking for a larger property that we could grow into,’ says Sophie, who, along with Sofiane, lived in New York and Washington before settling in the UK. ‘We’ve moved a lot, so our style has evolved over time. For us, the key was to find a place we could potentially extend into a serene, warm home that went beyond my tried-and-tested white colour palette.’

To help refine her ideas, Sophie called on the expertise of friend and interior designer Sybille Garnier Le Mené. Sybille conceived a mainly yellow, white and grey scheme that incorporates study, play and storage areas with a sleek midcentury feel. In terms of renovation, the family decided to make the most of the basement, digging down three metres and reconfiguring the layout to maximise storage potential.

‘Sophie wanted to channel in as much light as possible, so we tried to come up with smart, design-led solutions,’ says Sybille. To fulfil the family’s desire for a more open-plan space, she introduced a characterful, generous Crittall panel on the

122 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

ground floor, delineating the hall and sitting room, while the kitchen was extended further and studded with extra rooflights and glazed floor panes to brighten the basement.

The result is a home that effortlessly fuses form and function, with discreet, handleless floor-to-ceiling cupboards throughout creating a clutter-free space that allows special pieces to sing. In the sitting room, a Fifties sideboard sits alongside Italian furnishings, while in the kitchen, classic Wishbone chairs co-exist easily with sleek white cabinetry.

‘I learnt to be braver,’ says Sophie. ‘Mixing contemporary and antique pieces has given the house soul. Together with Sybille, I also introduced different textures and flashes of colour.’

For the family, the newly reworked basement is the jewel in the crown of the renovation. String shelving and matching trestle-table desks create a smart study area; a swing seat encourages plenty of play, while copious storage keeps utility items out of sight. ‘It’s such a flexible space, where the children can do homework or watch movies with us,’ says Sophie.

A calm but characterful home was top of Sophie’s wish list when the renovation began and the result is everything that she had hoped for. ‘Peaceful, Scandi-style interiors appeal to me, but we wanted to weave in a few unexpected touches, too,’ she says. ‘Sybille gave me the courage to try new things and, as a result, a little bit of poetry has been added to our interior.’

p e r i o d te r r ac e | 25bh

p l ay r o o m a hanging chair and favourite skateboards used as artwork strike a playful note. rattan hanging chair, £199, hKliving at house Curious

EN SUITE Sleek fittings add a luxurious touch to this indulgent bathroom.

Source similar marble, price on request, from Marble City

STUDy Thanks to generous windows and light wells, this work area in the basement is a bright, airy space.

String shelving, from £95, Skandium. try the Camber desk, £299, Made.com

maIN BEDroom minimal furnishings create a serene scheme to sleep in. ella lamp base, €120; Lixaj lampshade, €65, both Caravane

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

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Out of sight

As the parents of three children, Sarah and Alex Giles have found that the key to a tidy home is lots of storage Feature Seán O’COnnell | PhotograPhy VerOniCa rOdriguez

insPiring

home truths

the ProPerty edwardian semi L o c at i o n South london r o o m s Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner, utility room, cloakroom, five bedrooms (one en suite), bathroom P u r c h a s e d 2009 Previous ProPerty ‘We lived in a Victorian terrace around the corner,’ says Sarah.

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p e r i o d e x te n s i o n | 25bh KITCHEN-DINER

A large island was an essential for Sarah and provides plenty of informal seating for the family.

Cabinetry, price on request, daulby and Tickle. Welles bar stools, £119 each, Swoon. Pitts transparent globe pendants, £67.99 each, Wayfair

A

fter welcoming their first child into the world, Sarah and Alex Giles began the search for a bigger home that would suit a growing family. But the couple had no intention of moving very far – their part of south London was ideal for commuting, and had good schools and a friendly feel, so when they viewed an Edwardian semi on an adjacent street, they knew they had found what they were looking for. ‘As soon as we walked in, I could tell that it had the space we needed,’ says Sarah. ‘It hadn’t been updated for a while, but that meant we would have a blank canvas to work with.’

Once the sale had gone through, Sarah and Alex wasted no time in getting plans drawn up for a new side return and rear extension, as well as creating a mansard on the top floor, providing them with extra bedroom space. ‘We also expanded the courtyard, which sounds counter-intuitive, given that people tend to maximise room space,’ says Sarah. ‘But enlarging this light well and adding floor-to-ceiling glass allowed natural light to radiate outwards from the core of the building.’

But by far the biggest factor in creating the light, open feel they were after was the rear extension that forms the kitchen-diner. Design-wise, the look Sarah wanted was ‘homely and clean-lined’, with bespoke units in a Shaker style to achieve a certain warmth.

The needs of their daughter Lily, now 11, were a consideration, too, and when their sons Freddie, nine, and George, six, came along, they were very glad they had created such a family-friendly layout.

Then, in early 2018, Sarah felt the home was in need of an update and so, on a friend’s recommendation, enlisted designer Deni Christie. ‘We went through every room to see how we could freshen them up,’ says Sarah. Among Deni’s many practical suggestions was to turn the low-level shelving the family had across the back wall of the kitchendiner into cupboards, to keep any clutter out of sight. Sarah says the place is so much tidier as a result. ‘We’ve actually got more storage than we need,’ she says.

‘I’d never have thought that possible!’

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25bh | p e r i o d e x te n s i o n SiTTing ROOM

Rather than a matching suite, Sarah chose a sofa in a different style to the armchairs, bringing in extra texture and interest. eaton three-seater sofa, £4,200, Kingcome Sofas. esmerelda armchairs, price on request, robert Langford

FAVOURITE FEATUR E ‘I’m so pleased with our living wall – it adds a real burst of colour’

living wall

Garden designer Cat Datta was able to turn this dead space into a little oasis. green4Air 12 pod starter pack, £49.99, Longacres, will help you create a similar look

Main BEDROOM

Seats in the window area create a place for relaxing. toledo chairs are similar,

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£349 each; side tables, £229 for set of two, all Swoon. blackcurrant throw, £75, bronte by Moon

BaTHROOM

Adding colour with textiles makes it easy to switch things up later.

Jasper Conran towels, from £8.80, Debenhams. Duravit basins, £320 each, CP hart

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

Louise Dear YUM YUM - £1750

SYRETT Alexander - £595

Alexandra Gallagher Flamingo Flowers - £250

Olly Howe Mother Nature - £185

Original Art & Limited Edition Prints w w w . r u n w a y - g a l l e r y. c o m in association with

RepLaNNeD

home truths THe pROpeRTY Mid-terrace Victorian house L O c aT I O N Southwest London R O O M S Sitting room/ kitchen-diner, family room, three bedrooms (one en suite) bathroom p U R c H a S e D 2011 pReVIOUS pROpeRTY ‘We were living in an apartment in the same area,’ says Froso.

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v i c to r i a n te r r ac e | 25bh

S pa c e Invaders

By extending out and up, Froso and Anthony Levesanos gave a cramped house a spacious new look and feel FeaTURe ANNA TOBIN | pHOTOGRapHY RACHAEL SMITH

f a m i ly r o o m in the summer months this area is opened up to the garden creating an indoor/outdoor living space.

Oversized copper angled floor lamp, £179, Graham and Green. For a similar sofa, try the Isla, from £1,310, Sofa.com. The Margot chair in Antique Gold, £499, Made.com, would work well here

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dining AreA Froso likes to juxtapose styles – here, a table with a traditional design is teamed with colourful modern chairs. try the Chester grey table, £549, the Cotswold Company. Philippe Starck Kartell Masters chairs, £168 each, graham and green

T

he property that Froso and Anthony Levesanos came to view for the first time eight years ago looked very different from the family home that it has now become.

‘When we were house hunting, we were looking for a place with a garden and space for our family to grow,’ says Froso. ‘This was a typical two-bed house with separate sitting and dining rooms downstairs.’

As their elder son Petro, now eight, was a baby at the time, the house suited the family initially, but the plan was always to extend. ‘We bought it knowing that we could build out into the garden and up into the loft,’ says Froso. ‘And, after being here for three years, we began work on the ground floor. We decided to remove the wall separating the kitchen and dining room, and then extend to create a family room that would overlook the garden.’

At the time, Anthony was working full time as a business consultant and Froso was working full time as a digital transformation lead, while pregnant with their younger son Pari, now two. So to minimise the time and cost of the build, the couple decided to refurbish rather than replace the existing kitchen.

‘We kept the pine units, but we sanded and painted them so that they look completely different and almost new. We also retained the kitchen floor, but had the same floor running from the sitting room through the dining area into the family room to make each area flow into the next,’ explains Froso.

Both Anthony and Froso grew up in Greece and they were keen to bring the warm and light feel of the Mediterranean into their extended home. Bifold

f a v o u r i t e s p a c e ‘The hall was one of the first areas we decorated. I love

kitchen to save money, Froso painted the existing pine units and changed the handles. A tiled splashback added a bright finishing touch.

Stonelustre tiles, £5.35 each, Fired earth, would create a similar splashback. For similar flooring, see owlpen Stone tiles, £49.95sq m, walls and Floors hAll A window-style mirror elongates the space and reflects light from the front door’s fanlight. walls painted in Down Pipe (below dado rail) and Slipper Satin, both estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L each, Farrow & ball. the circular window pane mirror, £285, graham and green, would work here. For similar floor tiles, try Abbey tiles in Fountains, £89.70sq m, Fired earth

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v i c to r i a n te r r ac e | 25bh

doors open the rear of the house onto the garden and skylights bring more light into the open-plan living area from above. ‘We went for neutral walls and then added splashes of colour, so that the whole house feels bright and relaxing all year round,’ says Froso.

While the work downstairs was going on, plans to convert the loft to add a third bedroom with an en suite were also underway. ‘As with every part of the house, we needed to use the space we had in the loft as cleverly as possible,’ says Froso. ‘We made the landing here quite small to gain more room for the main bedroom, as I wanted it to feel really spacious and be a place to unwind and relax in.’

Although no structural work was done on the middle floor, the children’s rooms and family bathroom have been redecorated and now have the same sunny atmosphere as the rest of the house. ‘I wanted the boys’ rooms to grow with them, so I consciously didn’t go for themes that were too childish,’ says Froso. ‘I’m really happy with how the whole house has turned out – although we plan to renew the kitchen and family bathroom at some point, there is nothing else I would change.’

Froso thoroughly enjoyed redesigning and redecorating her home, and all the compliments she has received on it spurred her to change careers and retrain as an interior designer. She now runs her own business called Blue + Green Interiors from home. ‘Redoing the house has made how we live here so much easier,’ says Froso. ‘And it’s completely changed my working life, too, which has turned out to be an unexpected but wonderful bonus.’

mAin bedroom A luxuriously upholstered headboard is complemented with floral bedlinen in this fresh, summery scheme. rosalie bed, from £990, Sofa.com. For similar storage, see the set of two metal trunks in eau de Nil and Putty, £185, Cox & Cox

opening the door and seeing it because it sets the mood for the rest of the house’

F A m i ly b At h r o o m A vivid colour and playful accessories add a touch of fun. try the bali three-tier shelving unit, £99, John Lewis & Partners.

For a similar ladder, see Mandisa bamboo shelf ladder, £39.50, Lene bjerre. For a bath you can paint yourself, see the Millbrook bath, £1,107, the Cast Iron bath Company PA r i ’ s ro o m Froso has used an eye-catching wallpaper to create a feature wall in the area sandwiched between two made-to-measure wardrobes.

Patchwork Play wallpaper in grey, £33sq m, rebel walls. For a similar storage unit, see Abbeville shelf unit, £195; for similar canvas drawers, see canvas storage cubes, £19 each, all great Little trading Company. try the Nobodinoz Nevada teepee, £142, Smallable

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 131

DINING ROOM

‘Extending the dining area and kitchen sideways has created a flexible, open-plan space that works well for our family and for entertaining friends,’ says Dee. Bjursta table, £150, ikea. stendig calendar, £65, Violet and percy

A hidden treAsure

insPiRinG

home truths THE PROPERTY Villa, built in 1895 L O C AT i O n Cheltenham R O O M s Hall, sitting room, kitchen-diner/family room, snug, utility room, four bedrooms, bathroom, shower room P U R C H A s E D 1998 PREViOUs PROPERTY ‘i was living in a smaller property nearby and moved here when we got married,’ says Dee.

132 | 2 5 b H m ay 2019

Dee Campling was instantly drawn to a period home in need of a makeover, which turned out to be a diamond in the rough FEATURE Katrina Harper-Lewis | PHOTOGRAPHY Lizzie Orme

B

ack in 1998, Dee Campling began house hunting with her future husband, Rob. ‘We were getting married and wanted to buy a spacious place to do up before starting a family,’ she says.

‘This house was the last one we looked at after a long day of viewings. It was in a great location, right on the edge of the Cotswolds, but it was

very down at heel.’ But despite the property’s condition, it was love at first sight for the couple.

‘It looked as though it had last been decorated in the Eighties, but we liked the high ceilings and period features,’ adds stylist and interiors blogger Dee. ‘It had so much potential.’

The property required a great deal of work as every room needed gutting, replastering and

v i c to r i a n v i ll a | 25bh

KITCHEN

Dee and Rob updated this space by replacing the cupboard doors, changing the worktops, tiling the wall and adding a peninsula.

Glenn bar stools, £50 each, are similar; savedal cabinet doors have this look, from £21 each, both ikea. rubberwood worktops, from £120, worktop express. Double doors painted in Down pipe estate eggshell, £62 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball

2 5 b H m ay 2019 | 133

25bh | v i c to r i a n v i ll a

SITTING Room

Layers of texture and colour against a cool blue-based grey backdrop make this space cosy.

Walls painted in Pavilion Gray estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Ineko Home vintage metal Amish barn star, £40; similar Love and Union Jack cushions, from a selection, all Etsy. Basket, £21, Violet & Thistle

134 | 2 5 b h M Ay 2019

favourite item ‘My oversized antique mirrors with their battered frames and foxed glass add character and create the illusion of extra light’ redecorating. Fortunately, Dee had previous renovation experience, and Rob was skilled at DIY, so the couple readily rose to the challenge, working to a flexible timescale. ‘We wanted to renovate bit by bit, rather than trying to do everything in one go,’ says Dee. ‘This allowed us to assess how the space worked, visually and practically. In the end, we carried out all the work ourselves, apart from the side-return extension.’

This kitchen-diner extension was the biggest change the couple made. ‘It entirely opened up the rear of the ground floor,’ says Dee. ‘This used to be a dingy, narrow space, but now it’s the hub of our home and it’s in keeping with the large proportions of the house. It’s also a great space for entertaining.’ When it came to decorating,

Dee was inspired by the Scandinavian approach.

‘I’ve aimed to enhance the sense of light and space by making the base colour of every room calm and neutral, and retaining original features wherever possible,’ she says.

The one exception to the light and neutral decor is the study, which Dee painted dark grey: ‘I call it my reverse-Scandi look,’ she says.

‘I then add accent colours or features according to the light and how the room is going to be used. It also means that a scheme can be easily changed if I become bored with it.’

Dee aims to make furniture and spaces multipurpose and versatile, and enjoys using items in unexpected ways, such as bringing garden furniture and accessories indoors. Her signature

FamIlY Room

‘This used to be a dark and narrow dining room, so we extended it sideways, along with the kitchen, to create space for a relaxed sitting area,’ says Dee. Vitra Eames RAR rocking chair in white, £505; Scion Mr Fox cushion, £40, both John Lewis & Partners. Sarina hand-woven jute rug, £72.99, Wayfair. Soderhamn corner sofa in dark grey, £1,190, Ikea, is similar. Orla Kiely Linear Stem cushion, £35, Amara

2 5 b h M Ay 2019 | 135

MAIN BEDROOM

Sticking to a simple colour scheme has allowed Dee to successfully mix antique and reproduction pieces. winchester bed frame, from £269, the original bed Co, has this look.

Similar hello cushion, £16, PCb home at etsy. bumble side tables, £80 each, habitat. Sinnerlig bamboo pendant, £40, Ikea

Decor ating advice ‘Only buy and surround yourself with things that make you happy’ guEsT BEDROOM

Dee added blackboard paint for doodling, while clipping Polaroid pictures along string lights was an idea she saw on Pinterest. hanging chair, £38.99, twinjoy at ebay. Indoor/outdoor 8m festoon lights, £44.99, Festive Lights

136 | 2 5 b h m ay 2019

finishing touches are cushions, natural rugs, cosy sheepskins and plants in woven baskets.

Dee’s home is a masterclass in the art of mixing clean modern furnishings with imperfect pieces that have a story to tell, which gives her interior plenty of character. ‘I like to put together my own look from a mix of different elements or make things where I can,’ she says. ‘Auctions and eBay are a regular source of interesting finds and I’ve been rummaging through skips long before it was fashionable. I get my ideas from travel and from houses I see online and everywhere I go.

I love faffing with my accessories and I’m always

moving them,’ she adds. ‘I like to think I’ve created a look that I won’t easily tire of.’

Renovating her home over the past 20 years has been an ongoing journey for Dee, who now has a sizeable Instagram following (@deecampling). ‘I love this house,’ she says.

‘It has the best of both worlds – we’re a mile from the town centre, but have the countryside on our doorstep, which is perfect for long walks with our children, Anna, now 17, Imogen, 14, and Theo, 12. My ultimate goal would be to design and build our own home from scratch one day but, for now, I’m very happy staying right here.’

v i c to r i a n v i ll a | 25bh BATHROOM

Surrounding the bath with greenery brings a tranquil feel to this cool-hued space. walls painted in Dulux Chic Shadow matt emulsion, £16 for 2.5L, b&Q. hardwood tree trunk stool, £135, Driftwood Interiors, is similar. beldi woven hanging planter baskets, from £14 each, Notonthehighstreet.com, are a good match

fo r sto c k i sts g o to w her e to b u y

2 5 b h m ay 2019 | 137

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2 5 b h m ay 2019 | 139

Just for You

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View our collection online or make an appointment to see our showroom at: Tendercare, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB9 4HD

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OWN A BESPOKE NATIONWIDE VERANDA TODAY SEE OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE ONLINE NOW “Nationwide Verandas are designed to provide a stylish and practical area to enjoy outdoor living whatever the weather.”

Traditional Verandas

Enjoy your garden all year round

Buy now Pay 2020 with a 25% deposit*

BUY NOW, PAY LATER*

0800 047 4028

For a FREE brochure Call us today on or no obligation design consultation or visit us online at www.nationwideltd.co.uk

SPRING SALE UP TO

*Only available with a 20% deposit and the Buy Now Pay Later finance option. Subject to application and status. Nationwide Home Innovations is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

25% OFF**

home improvements

when you quote code BH04/04/19

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Keep your home beautiful with our stylish range of wipeable tablecloths Huge choice of designs and patterns Custom cut to size

www.wipeeasytablecloths.com 01606 833886

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Wide range of bespoke designs, frame colours and weatherproof finishes 10 year guarantee

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Professionally installed by skilled craftsmen

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Optional energy efficient heating and lighting

CALL FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION AND BROCHURE

0800 107 2727

www.edenverandas.co.uk

Eden Verandas is a trading style of Eden Verandas Ltd. Our registered address is Unit 13 Armstrong Mall, Southwood Business Park, Farnborough, GU14 0NR. Reg. No. 08259394. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 801638. We are a credit broker and not a lender and offer credit facilities from a panel of lenders. *Representative example: Cash price £8000 deposit £2000, total amount of credit £6000.

Payment within 12 months 0% interest. If not settled in the deferred period, 59 monthly payments thereafter of £158.77 and one payment of £158.10. Total amount payable £11525.53. APR 14.9%.**Terms & conditions apply.

To advertise here, please call 020 3148 2261, or email homeinterestclassified@ti-media.com

25bh | i d e a s to s h a r e

Room Envy

Each month we bring you a hotel space that intrigues, inspires and dazzles

M

artyn Lawrence Bullard’s design stamp is all over the striking palette and layered pattern of the Mason Library at Santa Barbara’s Hotel Californian. The British design guru – who has taken the States by storm – is well known for a signature aesthetic that mixes Moorish style with contrasting colour. The results are best described as a study in modern Moroccan glamour, a perfect fit for a scene-stealing hotel on the American Riviera.

Ebony and oxblood walls hit the trend for dark, moody rooms, but the vibe is kept from being too overpowering by the pure white ceiling detail and light North African-inspired tiles. Buttoned ottomans and indoor plants add texture and softness to the hard floor space, while the mustard hue of the deep tub chair ties the 146 | 2 5 b h m ay 2019

bold interior together. The same debonair look runs through the rest of the hotel, a sprawling property spread out across three Spanish colonial revival buildings. Such architecture called out for a design-led venture, and Hotel Californian’s luxurious lodgings don’t disappoint.

Guests are welcomed through the original Twenties façade, and from there, the options for play are manifold. Blackbird, the riotously designed in-house restaurant, is worth visiting for its decadent decor alone. The Granada guest rooms come with spacious lounge areas and balconies that gaze out over the city’s charming red-topped roofs. After a day of exploring the pretty city streets, head down to the Marrakech-inspired Spa Majorelle to de-stress in the steam room or up to the very soigné rooftop pool.

Feature Patrick Hamilton courtney. double rooms from £425 a nigHt, tHeHotelcalifornian.com

Hotel californian’s mason library is the height of luxury

BESPOKE BRITISH FURNITURE DESIGNED, CR AFTED, GUAR ANTEED When you choose Neville Johnson you are investing in high quality bespoke furniture, attention to detail and superb customer service. For over 30 years we have been using the finest materials and craftsmanship to create exquisite fitted furniture with longevity and style.

Free 100 Page Brochure British Design & Craftsmanship Nationwide Design Service 10 Year Guarantee Buy Now Pay in 12 Months*

*Buy now pay in 12 months finance offer is available on orders over £3,000 +VAT. Finance is subject to status, terms apply.

visit nevillejohnson.co.uk for our latest brochure or call 0161 873 8333 QUOTE CODE BEHOA73 STUDIES

BEDROOMS

NEVILLEJOHNSON.CO.UK

LOUNGES

LIBRARIES